Flightstar Explained

The Flightstar is a large family of single and two-seat, high wing, single engined kit aircraft that was produced by Flightstar Sportplanes of South Woodstock, Connecticut. In 2009 the rights, tooling and parts inventory were sold to Yuneec International of China when Flightstar Sportplanes' business was wound up.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Development

Flightstar designer Tom Peghiny built the first Flightstar in the mid-1980s for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category with its maximum 2540NaN0 empty weight requirement. The two-seat Flightstar II soon followed to fill the role of a trainer. The designs quickly became commercial successes and the basic design has been extensively developed over time. By 2007 over 700 single seaters had been sold.

All models are constructed from anodized aluminum tubing assembled with bolts. The fuselage is suspended from a keel tube that also mounts the engine at the front, the tail at the back and the wings. The wings are strut-braced and utilize jury struts. The wings and tail surfaces are covered in pre-sewn Dacron envelopes, which reduces construction time. The wings have full-span ailerons, while the tail features conventional elevators and rudder. The landing gear is a tricycle gear arrangement with bungee suspension on the main wheels. The nosewheel is steerable and mainwheel brakes are an available option. The reported construction time for the single seat models is 100 hours.

The fuselage is built around an overhead aluminum tube keel that mounts the tail at the back, the wings and fuselage in the centre and the engine at the front. The pod-type cockpit fairing is made from fibreglass and includes a windshield.

The two seat models all have side-by-side seating and have folding wings. Reported construction time for the current two seat models is 150 hours.

Reviewer Andre Cliche described the Flightstar line as: "a strong ultralight that is built to last" and particularly singled out the control system for praise saying: "the controls are well-balanced, light and authoritative."

In July 2009 a new single seat model was exhibited at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The e-Spyder is an electric-powered version of the Sportstar Spyder, developed by Tom Peghiny. The aircraft replaces the Spyder's two-stroke engine with a Yuneec Power Drive 20 200NaN0 electric motor and two 280NaN0 Lithium polymer battery packs which provide a 40-minute endurance. The aircraft is intended to be developed into a commercially available kit and forecast to be available for under US$25,000.[7] [8] [9]

The aircraft are also produced under licence in India by Albatross Flying Systems.

Variants

Single seat

Flightstar
  • Original mid-1980s single seat ultralight with an empty weight of 2500NaN0, powered by the 260NaN0 Rotax 277 engine
    Flightstar Formula
  • Improved single seat version with complete fairing and an empty weight of 3200NaN0. First flown in 1987 Powered by the 420NaN0 Rotax 447 or 500NaN0 Rotax 503 engine
    Flightstar Spyder
  • Further refined single seat version first flown in 1993. Partial or complete fairing and an empty weight of 2800NaN0 with the 420NaN0 Rotax 447. Can be operated in the US ultralight vehicle category if equipped with a lighter single-cylinder engine
    Flightstar Loadstar
  • Fuselage, wings and tail of the Flightstar II with just a single seat fitted, intended for use on floats or to tow hang gliders. Empty weight of 3400NaN0 with the 500NaN0 Rotax 503.
    Flightstar e-Spyder
  • Electric aircraft development of the Spyder in conjunction with Yuneec International of China. Equipped with a Yuneec Power Drive 20 200NaN0 electric motor and two 280NaN0 lithium-polymer battery packs which provide a 40 minute endurance. First flown in July 2009. Qualifies as a US single seat ultralight with an empty weight of 2530NaN0. In June 2013 it was announced that the aircraft would be produced, marketed and supported by GreenWing International.[10] In July 2013 the aircraft received German DULV certification, to become the first electric-powered aircraft to be certified by a national authority.[11] [12] By 2014 GreenWing was out of business.[13]

    Two seat

    Flightstar II
  • Original two-seat ultralight trainer first flown in 1987 with an empty weight of 3650NaN0 and powered by the 260NaN0 Rotax 277 engine, 500NaN0 Rotax 503, 600NaN0 HKS 700E four-stroke or the 640NaN0 Rotax 582
    Flightstar IISL
  • Improved "Sport Light" two-seat version, first flown in 1994. Empty weight of 3650NaN0, partial cockpit fairing was standard and full fairing optional. Powered by the 500NaN0 Rotax 503, 600NaN0 HKS 700E four-stroke or the 640NaN0 Rotax 582
    Flightstar IISC
  • Improved two-seat "Sport Cabin" version. Empty weight of 4650NaN0, powered by the 500NaN0 Rotax 503, 600NaN0 HKS 700E four-stroke or the 640NaN0 Rotax 582

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-19 and B-80. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
    2. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 162-164. BAI Communications.
    3. Web site: Flightstar Sportplanes. 2009-10-13. Flightstar Sportplanes . n.d. . https://web.archive.org/web/20110711013100/http://www.flyflightstar.com/default.htm . 11 July 2011.
    4. Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 49. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    5. Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 53. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    6. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, pages 85, 102-103. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
    7. Web site: Electric Flight Update: Flightstar Ultralight First Flight, Yuneec Starts U.S. Flight Testing . 2009-07-23. Grady. Mary. July 2009.
    8. Web site: Interview with Flight Design's Tom Peghiny. 2009-08-07. Grady. Mary. August 2009.
    9. Web site: Yuneec-Flightstar e-Spyder. 2009-10-14. Flightstar Sportplanes. 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091107050125/http://www.flyespyder.com/ . 7 November 2009.
    10. News: New Company Will Market Yuneec Electric Aircraft . 27 June 2013. Grady. Mary. 27 June 2013. AVweb.
    11. News: German-Certified Light Electric Plane To Visit Osh . 18 July 2013. Pew. Glenn. 15 July 2013. AVweb.
    12. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 58. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
    13. Web site: GreenWing International. Facebook. 10 January 2017. GreenWing International. 29 December 2013.

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