Arplast Micro'B
{{short description|French ultralight aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox aircraft begin
| name=Micro'B | image= | caption= }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type=Ultralight aircraft | national origin=France | manufacturer=Arplast Helice | designer= | first flight= | introduced= | retired= | status=Production completed | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built= | developed from= | variants with their own articles= }} |
The Arplast Micro'B ({{langx|en|Microbe}}) is a French ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by propeller manufacturer Arplast Helice. It was supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 26. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
Design and development
The Arplast Micro'B was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules, with a lightened version for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.
The Micro'B is made from a combination of welded steel and carbon fibre, with the flying surfaces made from the latter material. Its {{convert|8.6|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing is supported by a single strut per side and features automatic flaps. Standard engines included the {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 447 two-stroke or other small lightweight motors, mounted on the main keel tube above the cockpit.
Variants
;Micro'B
:Initial version, which was used to win the World Microlight Championships.
;Micro'B ML
:Improved version, with carbon fibre construction for the FAI Microlight class. Standard engine supplied was the {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 447 two-stroke aircraft engine. Empty weight of {{convert|125|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}.
;Micro'B 103
:Lightened version for the US ultralight category, equipped with a {{convert|25|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Briggs & Stratton V-twin engine. Empty weight of {{convert|110|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}.
Specifications (Micro'B 103)
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|empty weight kg=110
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|gross weight kg=250
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|fuel capacity={{convert|15|L}}
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Briggs & Stratton
|eng1 type=V-twin engine
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|eng1 hp=25
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|max speed kmh=145
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|cruise speed kmh=110
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|stall speed kmh=40
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|wing loading kg/m2=30.12
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References
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External links
- [http://www.uimmvaucluse.fr/trans/cat_produit/151-arplast-micro-helice.jpg Photo of Arplast Micro'B]