Video of Belite Aircraft test hop

Below is a link to a Belite aircraft test hop.

The engine installed generates 23hp, but the prop is mispitched in this test, so the engine probably developed about 16hp. (Plus the density altitude was 4500 feet.)

After takeoff, the plane established positive climb and I chopped power shortly thereafter.

We'll expand the test flight envelope later this week.

The big rollout is tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BeliteAircraft#play/search/0/9RtGcOGI0sQ

First Flight Belite Aircraft

On Thursday June 25, around 2:00 pm, the new Belite Aircraft had its first flight.

OK, the flight was just a short hop, just over the runway at Jabara airport (KAAO). Temperature was around 100 degrees, with a calculated density altitude of 4500 feet. HOT!

The flight demonstrated liftoff, verification of control effectiveness, power cut, and landing. As soon as the plane took off, it was easily demonstrating a nice climb rate. My plan for this flight did not allow for any pattern work, so I immediately chopped power and settled back to the runway.

Here are some specific details on this flight:

Empty Weight (no fuel): approximately 231.5 pounds includes 13 pounds ballast!!

As flown with fuel: approximately 240 pounds

This includes basic instrumentation, AND it includes approximately 12 pounds of metal ballast in the engine mount design. The plane is so light that we had a CG tail heavy problem. This will be resolved before Oshkosh by utilizing a heavier, more powerful engine.

Therefore, without ballast, weight would have been about 219.5 pounds. Not bad. This flying weight can be reduced further by removing the turtledeck, and even further by cutting corners in the fabric covering (EG, no UV protectant -0- BAD idea). Or by not installing the carpet. (which this plane has). Or by not installing the rear view windows (which this plane has). Or by not installing a wood instrument panel (which this plane has).

Our rollout next Tuesday will show the plane in "dress trim": with a nice cowl on it and a spiffed up engine/engine compartment. Our test flight was without a cowl.

Weight plan to Oshkosh:

We have 34 pounds to play with. (220 pounds effective current weight).

Swap out fuel tank for new fuel tank -- may save 2 pounds.
Swap out engine as we continue to test engines -- adds some weight depending on engine
Add cowl -- adds 3.5 pounds
Put in full panel and electrics, antennas -- estimated to add 9 to 12 pounds

Final Weight, with full panel, electrics, cowl, bigger engine -- about 245 pounds. (Legal limit is 253.9). Of course you can fly it as a home built experimental with any weight you want.

Hope you enjoy the picture as well.

BTW, for the weight calculations, I weigh 200 pounds, and I had about 5 pounds of additional radios & water bottles with me in the airplane.

We do have video of this, we'll try and post it on Monday evening.

Belite Avionics / Instrument Panel Coming Along

We've gotten a lot done in the last couple of weeks.

Engine installation; test run; aircraft weight; cg analysis.

One of the things I'm most pleased with is our panel.

It's a really cool little panel -- everything you need; a little steam; a little digital. A gizmo dock for a Garmin 496.

I'd really appreciate feedback on the layout. We can move a few things around before our rollout next week; we may cut another panel prior to Oshkosh.

Switches are as follows: magneto on/kill; momentary starter (left side).
The four switches are: avionics power; nav lights; landing light; extra switch.

The demo unit has a MicroAir transceiver and a Becker transponder.

Note the fuel gauge as well! :-)

I think I'll add a voltmeter as well.

This panel was cut from birch plywood and will be stained and finished in the next few days.

Interviewed by TV reporter; video on Belite posted

I was interviewed by KAKE TV yesterday on the Belite aircraft.

While the video is a little distilled, it still is a great overview.

The man at the rear is Dave Franson, our publicist.

Here's the story and video.