The Eagle AC-7 Eagle 1 (USAF designation YE-5) is an aircraft that was manufactured by Windecker Industries. It was the first composite airplane (foam and fiberglass construction) to receive FAA certification in December 1969 at a reported development cost of US$20,000,000. The fiberglass process was named "Fibaloy" by Windecker.
The Eagle's fuselage was molded in two pieces that were joined down the middle.[1] The first prototype had a fixed undercarriage but the second, known as the Eagle 1, had retractable tricycle gear. This aircraft first flew on 26 January 1969. One prototype spun in on testing.[2]
Only eight Eagles were produced before production ended when the company ran out of money.[3]
No Eagle had been flying for many years, but one was restored and flown in December 2015, by Don Atchison, Mike Moore and a team commissioned by Chinese entrepreneur Wei Hang. Wei Hang holds the rights and the type certificate and plans to produce the aircraft in China for Asian sales.[3] [4] [5]