Sunday, April 1, 2012

How to attach a rear fuselage to a cabin on an ultralight airplane

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I occasionally publish portions of the Belite assembly manual, which will help you build your very own ultralight airplane.   Here we go with another installment:

Mating the Rear Fuselage to the pre-welded Aluminum cabin

In this section, you are going to mate your rear riveted aluminum fuselage to the cabin.  This is done by leveling both sections very carefully, trimming the length of the aluminum longerons on the rear, and then riveting on gussets.

This isn’t too tough to do, let’s get going!

1.      Level the cabin and the rear fuselage.  Using blocks and a level, ensure that the top of the cabin is level.  Although only one level is used in the photo, make sure it is also level side to side.

Figure 1 -- Level the cabin
You’ll notice the small stubs pointing backwards on the photo above, along the bottom of the fuselage.  Current production cabins no longer have the stubs.  

Figure 2 -- Level the rear fuselage

2.      Trim the longerons on the rear fuselage.

All four of the rear fuselage longerons are trimmed butt flush to the cabin.  Also, the top skin will need some trimming to make it fit.

Belite -- Reserve Grand Champion Ultralight at Sun N Fun 2012

Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!


YES, we did win the Reserve Grand Champion ultralight aircraft award at Sun N Fun 2012.

3rd year in a row with a major award for Belite.

Thanks to Mike R. for doing the vast majority of the work and providing zillions of great ideas on this award winning airplane.!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Really Cool WoW Plane Photos

Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!


I've just got pictures today.  Here's some more photos Gene took today at Sun N Fun 2012:

Blue Skies, Belite Ultralight Airplane

Severe Climb Angle? with Belite Ultralight Airplane

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Weight of WoW ultralight airplane

Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!


Day 2 at Sun N Fun:

Flying, showing instruments, talking to people, enjoying the weather.

Belite Ultralight Aircraft climbing out at Sun N Fun, Day 2

From the start of the takeoff, I could get to 300' altitude before the water tower turn.  With a 28HP engine.  Lots of people watching...   WoW.

Here's the estimated weight breakdown on the WoW plane:


1 Basic Airplane.   224.5
2 Carbon Fiber spar upgrade saves weight. -9.0
3 Metal Priming 0.9
4 Light Steel fuselage swap -3.5
5 Steel spring gear upgrade 2.2
6 Add electric start, wiring system, battery, battery box to base engine 6.5
7 Swap in Full Belite Instrumentation 0.0
8 Install Fuel Sender in fuel tank, wiring 0.6
9 550 pound Air Rocket Parachute - installed 17.0
10 Lightweight Lift Strut Swap - 2024 T3 -3.5
11 Upgraded Aluminum Fuel Tank 2.2
12 Complete Fuselage Fabric & Complete Paint 9.0




Subtotal 246.9




Other Options



1 Tip Lights 2.2
2 Spinner 0.8
3 Streamlined Lift Struts 6.0
4 Built Panel Bulkhead 2.2
5 Rear Fuselage Treatment 2.2
6 Heavy Elevator 3.0
7 Adjustable Elevator Trim 1.7
8 Adjustable Rudder Trim 0.6
9 Dots 2.0
10 Hydraulic Tip Brakes 2.0
11 Hoerner Tips 3.5




Total 273.1







I am so impressed with what this airplane's advancements has done for our aerodynamic performance.  WoW!

Belite ultralight airplane in cruise flight at Sun N Fun 2012