EEL ULF 2
{{Short description|German single-seat motor glider, 1993}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2022}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
| name=EEL ULF-2 | image=File:EEL ULF 2 D-MWID.jpg | caption= }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type=Microlight | national origin=Germany | manufacturer=Entwicklung und Erprobung von Leichtflugzeugen (EEL) | designer=Dieter Reich | first flight=October 1993 | introduced= | retired= | status= | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built=15 (2019) | developed from= | variants with their own articles= }} |
The EEL ULF-2 is a German low-wing, conventional landing gear, single-seat motor glider that was designed by Dieter Reich and is provided in the form of plans by Entwicklung und Erprobung von Leichtflugzeugen ({{langx|en|Development and Testing of Light Aircraft}}) for amateur construction.Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 136. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X{{Cite web|url = http://www.eel.de/english/ulf-2_description.htm|title = ULF-2 Description|accessdate = 14 October 2011|last = Entwicklung und Erprobung von Leichtflugzeugen|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190909041843/http://www.eel.de/english/ulf-2_description.htm|archive-date= 9 September 2019|url-status=}}
Design and development
The prototype was built in 1993 by Anton Quanz with Horst Fischer building the engine installation and electrical system. The ULF-2 first flew in October 1993.
The ULF-2 is predominantly constructed from northern pine or Douglas fir, with spruce and birch plywood and covered with doped aircraft fabric. The engine cowling, wing tips and fairings are made from fibreglass. The {{convert|11|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing features a Wortmann FX 63-137 airfoil and top surface spoilers. The aircraft mounts a ballistic parachute full-aircraft recovery system. The landing gear is conventional with a steerable tailwheel. The {{convert|54|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} wide cockpit features a pilot seat inclined at a 33° angle.{{Cite web|url = http://www.eel.de/english/ulf-2_techdata_en.htm|title = ULF-2 Technical Data|accessdate = 14 October 2011|last = Entwicklung und Erprobung von Leichtflugzeugen|authorlink = |year = n.d.}}
The recommended engine is from a Citroën Visa automobile, which consumes 4.0 L/h (1.06 US gallon per hour) and produces {{convert|24|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}}. The engine retains its automobile muffler and catalytic converter, runs on unleaded auto fuel, stored in a fuselage-mounted aluminium fuel tank with a capacity of {{convert|33|L}}. The propeller is powered via a belt reduction drive. The muffler system allows the aircraft to comply with the ICAO Annex 16, Chapt. 10 noise requirements of 55 dB(A).
The aircraft's wings fold on gimbal joints for storage or ground transportation in a trailer.
The ULF-2 received its Certificate of Airworthiness in February 1995. As a result of his design work Reich received the OUV Hans-Becker-Prize in June 1997. The plans consists of 29 sheets of blueprints, a 50-page construction manual and a 20-page flight manual, available in both English and German. The plans cost €350 and a completed aircraft is estimated to cost €8000.{{Cite web|url = http://www.eel.de/english/order.htm|title = Order Info|accessdate = 14 October 2011|last = Entwicklung und Erprobung von Leichtflugzeugen|authorlink = |year = n.d.}}
The aircraft has very benign stall characteristics, resulting in a controllable slow speed mush condition.
Operational history
Specifications (ULF-2)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04 and company website
|prime units?=met
|genhide=
|crew=one
|capacity=
|length m=
|length ft=
|length in=
|length note=
|span m=11
|span ft=
|span in=
|span note=
|height m=
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=13.9
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=8.7:1
|airfoil=Wortmann FX 63-137
|empty weight kg=210
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=323
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|fuel capacity={{convert|33|L}}
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Citroën Visa
|eng1 type=two-cylinder, four stroke, horizontally opposed automobile engine with belt reduction drive
|eng1 kw=24
|eng1 hp=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=wooden
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
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|max speed kmh=
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|max speed kts=
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|cruise speed kmh=120
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|stall speed kmh=50
|stall speed mph=
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|never exceed speed kmh=140
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|ceiling m=
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|g limits=+6/-3
|roll rate=
|glide ratio=14:1
|climb rate ms=3.0
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|sink rate ms=1.1
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See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.ulf-2.com}}
{{EEL aircraft}}
Category:1990s German sailplanes
Category:Entwicklung und Erprobung von Leichtflugzeugen aircraft