| CGS Hawk | |
|---|---|
| |
| Hawk Ultra | |
| Role | Light-sport aircraft, Homebuilt aircraft, ultralight aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | CGS Aviation |
| Designer | Chuck Slusarczyk |
| First flight | January 1982 |
| Introduction | March 1982 |
| Status | In production |
| Number built | 1712 |
The CGS Hawk is a family of high wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration, single and two-seats-in-tandem ultralight aircraft, designed by Chuck Slusarczyk and manufactured by CGS Aviation.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Designer Chuck Slusarczyk established himself as a hang glider designer in the early 1970s, including producing engine power units for hang gliders. In October 1979, his company, Chuck's Glider Supplies was renamed CGS Aviation. In 1980 Slusarczyk surveyed pilots at Sun 'n Fun and AirVenture to find out what they wanted in a new ultralight aircraft design. The survey revealed pilots were looking for:[5][8]
When the resulting Hawk first flew in January 1982 it was the first ultralight aircraft with an enclosed cockpit and to use strut bracing. The aircraft was intended to meet the requirements of the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, including that category's maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight.[4][5][8]
The Hawk wing is strut-braced, constructed from aluminum tubing and covered with either pre-sewn Dacron envelopes or doped aircraft fabric. The flat-bottomed wing also features flaps. The fuselage is of similar construction and uses a curved boom tube for its main structural member. The curved tube allows the tail to be located higher, out of the wing's downwash, especially when the flaps are extended. Landing gear for all models is optionally tricycle or conventional.[4][9]
The Hawks are available as aircraft kits, quick-build kits, or completed aircraft.[4]
The Hawk was first introduced to the public at Sun N Fun in March 1982 in Lakeland, Florida. The prototype won Best New Design for 1982.[5]
At the EAA Convention held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that same year the Hawk was named Outstanding New Design and also Reserve Grand Champion.[5]
At Oshkosh 1983, the Hawk won the Dupont Kevlar Air Recreational Vehicle Design Competition against more than 126 other designs.[5]
Data from CGS & Kitplanes[2][3][8]
General characteristics
Performance
