Blue Yonder Merlin

File:Rotax912SEngineInstallationMerlin.jpg 100 hp installation in a Blue Yonder Merlin EZ]]

File:Macair Merlin GT C-ICQE 01.JPG

The Merlin was designed in 1986 by John Burch, who intended to use it in his flight training school. Burch was disappointed with the early ultralights available, in particular their inability to take off and land in crosswinds. The aircraft wing was inspired by the Lazair's wing and used the same aluminum "D" cell and foam rib construction techniques and constant-tapered wing planform. The first example flew in 1987.Armstrong, Kenneth: Choosing Your Homebuilt - the one you will finish and fly! Second Edition, page 195-201. Butterfield Press, 1993. {{ISBN|0-932579-26-4}}

The Merlin won the Pilot's Choice Award as Best Ultralight at the Aircraft Sport Expo in 1988.

Burch formed Macair Industries in Baldwin, Ontario to produce the aircraft. Initially there were two versions: the Merlin M50 powered by the {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503 two-stroke powerplant and the Merlin GT and Sport 65 version powered by the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 532 and later 582. The {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Honda-based CAM 100 engine was also available as an option.

In 1991 Burch moved production of the Merlin to Michigan, USA under a new company name, Malcolm Aircraft. Within a short time that company went out of business and the Merlin was picked up by a new company in 1993 operating under the name of Merlin Aircraft who marketed the Merlin GT. After three years the company ceased business and the rights to the design were acquired by Blue Yonder Aviation of Indus, Alberta who continue to produce kits. Marketing in the United States was conducted by Aerocomp (now Comp Air) for some time, but this arrangement has been ended.

Blue Yonder's current model is the Merlin EZ which has an option of engines: the Rotax 582 of {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, the Rotax 912UL with {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and the 912ULS with {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. The Rotax 618 two-stroke powerplant of {{convert|74|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} was an option until that engine was discontinued by Rotax. The Merlin was used as the testbed aircraft for development of the Hexadyne P60 engine.{{cite web|url=http://hexatronengineering.com/fire_wall_mounting_photos.htm|title=Hexadyne P60 Fire Wall Mounting|work=Hexatron Engineering|accessdate=15 July 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705025558/http://www.hexatronengineering.com/fire_wall_mounting_photos.htm|archivedate=5 July 2015}}

The Merlin EZ uses the same foam-rib construction as previous models, but with a constant-chord wing with a Clark Y airfoil replacing the previously tapered wing. The fuselage is of 4130 welded steel tube construction, covered in aircraft fabric. The factory estimates build times at 350–450 hours of labour.{{cite web|url = http://www.ezflyer.com/page24BYA.html|title = Merlin EZ Price Lists|accessdate = 2009-01-25|last = Winters|first = Wayne|date = n.d.|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090124185230/http://ezflyer.com/page24BYA.html|archive-date = 2009-01-24|url-status = dead}}

Blue Yonder is the fourth manufacturer of the Merlin design. Companies who have built the Merlin were:

;Merlin M50

:Initial model, tapered wings, powered by a {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503 engine

;Merlin GT/Sport 65

:Initial model, tapered wings, powered by a {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 532 and later by a Rotax 582 or {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} CAM 100 enginePurdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 93. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}

;Merlin EZ

:Current model, constant chord wings, powered by a {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 582, {{convert|74|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 618, {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 912UL, {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 912ULS

;Merlin TG

:Tricycle landing gear model, constant chord wings, powered by a {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 582, {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 912UL, {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 912ULS

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Merlin magic revisitedHunt, Adam: Merlin Magic Revisited, COPA Flight publication, page C-1, October 2005 and Merlin EZ{{cite web|url = http://www.ezflyer.com/Page8BYA.html|title = Merlin EZ|accessdate = 2009-01-25|last = Winters|first = Wayne|date = n.d.|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090122200016/http://ezflyer.com/Page8BYA.html|archive-date = 2009-01-22|url-status = dead}}

|prime units?=kts

|crew=two

|length ft=23

|length in=0

|span ft=35

|span in=6

|height ft=7

|height in=0

|wing area sqft=235

|empty weight lb=700

|max takeoff weight lb=1,400

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Rotax 912S

|eng1 type=4-cyl. air-cooled horizontally opposed four-stroke piston engine

|eng1 hp=100

|max speed mph=120

|cruise speed mph=110

|climb rate ftmin=1,400

|wing loading lb/sqft=8.75

|power/mass=

}}

{{Portal|Aviation}}

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|related=

• Blue Yonder EZ Flyer

|similar aircraft=

• Humbert Tétras

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{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Blue Yonder Merlin}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090222062859/http://ezflyer.com/ Blue Yonder Aviation]

{{Blue Yonder Aviation}}

{{Comp Air}}

{{Uncertified aircraft developed in Canada}}

Merlin

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