First Showing Of The Tailwheel And Trike Models

Last spring, entrepreneur James Wiebe had an idea. As an avid pilot and aviation enthusiast, Wiebe wanted to create an aviation experience that would take recreational flight to a whole new realm. Wiebe acquired the tooling, existing parts and manufacturing rights of an older aircraft, then combined his creativity and experience from his previous business ventures to reinvent the design.  The result is a (FAR) Part 103 ultralight that looks and flies like a real airplane and a new aircraft company, Belite Aircraft. And this year, Belite Aircraft made its debut at the US Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, last week.

FAR Part 103 airplanes have traditionally had great difficulty meeting legal weight requirements while providing airplane functionality. Wiebe developed a new lightweight carbon fiber process which solved this problem and offers an ultralight with the feel of a real airplane. The Belite incorporates stronger, lighter carbon fiber technologies to reduce the weight.  The result is a full-featured airplane that meets the 254 pound limit specified in FAR Part 103.

Wiebe has been refining the design and listening to prospects' suggestions and ideas.  As a result, he is introducing a Tricycle Gear version that offers easy takeoff and landing, eliminating the need for tailwheel training, and a Superlite version with outstanding Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) performance and rate of climb.

The standard Belite 254 is a full-featured, true single-seat airplane with a real instrument panel that is well within the Part 103 weight limits. A modern smooth and reliable 2-stroke engine allows a rate climb of 400 fpm and a cruise speed of 62 mph.  As a tailwheel airplane, it is remarkably easy to fly, but tailwheel operating knowledge is required. The standard Belite 254 has a control stick and rudder pedals for standard 3-axis aircraft controls, highly effective flapperons and classic taildragger styling.  It also features a tough welded 4130 steel frame and folding wings for easy transport and storage.

FMI: www.beliteaircraft.com