Now Faster With Increased Useful Load

The performance numbers for Chipper, the experimental two place airplane kit from Belite Aircraft, have been updated, providing large gains in airspeed, climb rate, and range over previously released figures. Chipper is also benefiting from a gross weight increase. "We worked hard to make aerodynamic improvements in Chipper, and they have paid off with a big gain in demonstrated airspeeds, climb rate and range.  We've also done additional engineering work, allowing us to increase the gross weight and useful load of the airplane" said James Wiebe, CEO of Belite Aircraft.

Chipper is Belite Aircraft’s entry into the experimental market. Belite Enterprise has sold Part 103 legal Ultralights since 2009. It also has a line of lightweight, affordable instruments for light aircraft. "Chipper is lightweight and strong, with many elements of its internal structure based on honeycomb aluminum. Lightweight aircraft cruise faster, lift more and climb faster. Chipper is clearly different from other experimental utility aircraft, offering an all around package of value, technology, speed, range, useful load and excellent takeoff performance.  And it looks good, too."

Utilizing the reliable and popular four stroke Rotax 80HP 912UL engine, flight testing shows a top speed with full power of 100 mph, all with tundra tires. Typical cruise speed is now 90 mph with the engine running at 75% power at an altitude of 5500 feet. Fuel burn at that power setting (per Rotax published documents) is 4.42 gallons per hour.

At a density altitude of 8500 feet, Chipper demonstrated climb performance of 530 feet per minute.  Aircraft weight was approximately 870 pounds. With tundra tires and 28 gallon fuel tanks, Chipper has a range of 520 miles with 30 minute VFR reserve cruising at an altitude of 7500 feet.

Chipper is now available in two different weight variations. The baseline variation has a gross weight of 1000 pounds while the upgraded version has a gross weight of 1200 pounds.  The builder can expect a useful load of 450 to 500 pounds with the base version; along with a useful load of 600 or more pounds in the higher gross weight version. Recommended engine power is 80HP for the smaller version and 100HP for the larger version.

For those looking for even more performance, Belite expects to demonstrate further performance gains when Chipper is paired with an improved cowl and smaller tires later this year.

(Image provided with Belite news release)

FMI: www.beliteaircraft.com