Aero-Works Aerolite 103
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Aero-Works Inc.
U-Fly-It Light Sport Aircraft, LLC
Designer Terry Raber
First flight October 1996[1]
Introduction 1997
Status 1997-2005[2]
2013-present
Number built 150 (December 2004)[3]
Variants Wings Of Freedom Phoenix 103

The Aero-Works Aerolite 103 is an American single seat, high-wing, pusher configuration ultralight aircraft, designed by Terry Raber and introduced by Aero-Works, Inc, of Millersburg, Ohio, in 1997. The aircraft's model number indicates that it was designed to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration FAR 103 ultralight rules.[1][4][5][6][7]

Production of the aircraft ended in 2005 when the manufacturer went out of business.[2] The rights to the design were purchased by its original designer, the aircraft updated with an updated aluminum fuel tank and put back into production in 2013 by U-Fly-It Light Sport Aircraft, LLC of DeLand, Florida.[8][9]

Development

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The aircraft was designed to meet the requirements of FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles, including maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight.[4][6][9]

The builder-achieved empty weights vary from 252 lb (114 kg) to 300 lb (136 kg), with 275 lb (125 kg) being typical.[10] To remain under the FAR 103 empty weight requires the use of a light-weight engine, such as the 35 hp (26 kW) 2si 460-F35 or the 28 hp (21 kW) Hirth F-33.[3][7][9]

Design

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An Aerolite 103 at Oshkosh 2001

The Aerolite 103 features a high wing with half-span flaps that are extended by use of an overhead bellcrank to a maximum of 40 degrees. The flight controls are three-axis and are actuated by a wheel mounted on a control column via flexible push-pull cables and conventional rudder pedals connected to the rudder by cables. The engine throttle is a twist-grip type and incorporates a brake lever to operate the non-differential mechanical drum brakes installed on the main wheels of the tricycle landing gear.[4][6][9]

The aircraft has conventional nose wheel steering connected to the rudder pedals. The main landing gear utilizes sprung-tubes for suspension and absorbing landing loads. There is a fourth small caster-wheel under the tail, because when the pilot's seat is unoccupied the aircraft rests on its tail, due to the aircraft's empty center of gravity.[4]

The Aerolite 103 is sold as an assembly kit aircraft. The kit includes an illustrated assembly manual and pre-built fuselage, wings, control surfaces, jury struts and struts. The wings are covered by the builder with pre-sewn Dacron envelopes. The company estimates the time to complete the airframe at 60–80 hours. The kit does not include powerplant, propeller or instruments.[11]

When the aircraft was first introduced the standard engine was the 35 hp (26 kW) 2si 460-F35, with the 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 optional.[4] In 2009 the standard recommended engine was the Rotax 447, with the 46 hp (34 kW) Rotax 503 single carburettor engine optional.[6][12] In 2021 an electric aircraft option was added as the manufacturer offered a complete electric drivetrain and up to four batteries as an alternative to gasoline powerplants.[13]

Aerobatics and spins are prohibited.[10]

Operational history

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Since its introduction the Aerolite 103 has won many awards, including:[5]

In December 2004 the company reported that 150 aircraft were flying, the majority as unregistered US ultralights. In July 2009 there were 12 Aerolite 103s registered as experimental amateur-builts in the USA.[3][14]

Accidents

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On 15 September 2019, former NASCAR driver Mike Stefanik was killed in the crash of an Aerolite 103 at Riconn Airport near Greene, Rhode Island.[15]

Specifications (Aerolite 103 with Rotax 447)

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Data from Aerolite 103 website[10] & KitPlanes[1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ a b c Kitplanes Staff: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 34. Primedia Publications. IPM 0462012
  2. ^ a b Wings of Freedom (2010). "Aero-lite 103". Archived from the original on April 26, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Downie, Julia: Kit Aircraft Directory 2005, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 44. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  4. ^ a b c d e Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-2. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  5. ^ a b Aero-Works. "Aerolite 103". Retrieved July 25, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 16. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  7. ^ a b Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 343. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  8. ^ "The Wonderful World of Ultralights at AirVenture", Light Plane World, EAA, archived from the original on January 25, 2013, retrieved August 29, 2012
  9. ^ a b c d Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 86. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  10. ^ a b c Aero-Works. "Aerolite 103 Specifications". Archived from the original on March 18, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
  11. ^ Aero-Works. "Aerolite 103 Kwik Kit". Archived from the original on March 18, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
  12. ^ Aero-Works. "Aerolite 103 Recommended Engines". Archived from the original on March 18, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
  13. ^ Bertorelli, Paul (April 14, 2021). "Sun 'N Fun 2021: Aerolite 103 Gets Electric Propulsion". AVweb. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  14. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (July 2009). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  15. ^ Cook, Marc (September 17, 2019). "NASCAR Champ Mike Stefanik Killed In Ultralight Crash". AVweb. Archived from the original on September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
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