- Haig Minibat
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Minibat Role Motor glider National origin United States Manufacturer Larry Haig Designer Larry Haig Status No longer in production Number built 55 sets of plans sold, at least ten completed The Haig Minibat is a high wing, single seat flying wing motor glider that was designed by Larry Haig and at one time available as plans or in kit form for amateur construction. The kit is no longer available.[1][2]
Contents
Design and development
The Minibat was designed by Haig as a motor glider, but without self-launching capabilities, instead the aircraft is launched by aero-tow, winch-launch or car-tow. The small chainsaw engine provides enough power to ensure a positive rate of climb and prevent land-outs, but not enough power for launching. The design goal was a glider with slightly greater performance than the Schweizer 1-26.[1][2]
The Minibat is constructed predominately from foam and fiberglass and features a monowheel landing gear. The engine is mounted in the rear fuselage in pusher configuration, with the propeller mounted unconventionally between the fuselage and the rudder. Tip extensions are available which increase the wingspan to 32.7 ft (10.0 m) and raise the aircraft's glide ratio from 23:1 with the standard 25 ft (7.6 m) wings to 30:1.[1][2]
Operational history
In March 2011 there were ten Minibats registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the USA.[3]
Specifications (Minibat with wingtip extensions)
Data from Soaring[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
- Wing area: 76.5 sq ft (7.11 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 14:1
- Empty weight: 130 lb (59 kg)
- Gross weight: 350 lb (159 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × chain saw engine single cylinder
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 30:1
- Rate of sink: 180 ft/min (0.91 m/s)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
- ^ a b c Activate Media (2006). "Minibat Haig". http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?PlaneID=226. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ a b c d Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 122. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (March 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=&Modeltxt=MINIBAT&PageNo=1. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
External links
Lists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- United States sailplanes 1970–1979
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