Flightstar

File:FlightStar IISL.JPG

File:E-Spyder.jpg

File:Flightstar II C-IGRH Rotax 503 engine 03.JPG engine installation on a Flightstar II]]

File:Flightstar IISC N166SC.jpg

Flightstar designer Tom Peghiny built the first Flightstar in the mid-1980s for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category with its maximum {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} empty weight requirement. The two-seat Flightstar II soon followed to fill the role of a trainer. The designs quickly became commercial successes and the basic design has been extensively developed over time. By 2007 over 700 single seaters had been sold.

All models are constructed from anodized aluminum tubing assembled with bolts. The fuselage is suspended from a keel tube that also mounts the engine at the front, the tail at the back and the wings. The wings are strut-braced and utilize jury struts. The wings and tail surfaces are covered in pre-sewn Dacron envelopes, which reduces construction time. The wings have full-span ailerons, while the tail features conventional elevators and rudder. The landing gear is a tricycle gear arrangement with bungee suspension on the main wheels. The nosewheel is steerable and mainwheel brakes are an available option. The reported construction time for the single seat models is 100 hours.

The fuselage is built around an overhead aluminum tube keel that mounts the tail at the back, the wings and fuselage in the centre and the engine at the front. The pod-type cockpit fairing is made from fibreglass and includes a windshield.

The two seat models all have side-by-side seating and have folding wings. Reported construction time for the current two seat models is 150 hours.

Reviewer Andre Cliche described the Flightstar line as: "a strong ultralight that is built to last" and particularly singled out the control system for praise saying: "the controls are well-balanced, light and authoritative."

In July 2009 a new single seat model was exhibited at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The e-Spyder is an electric-powered version of the Sportstar Spyder, developed by Tom Peghiny. The aircraft replaces the Spyder's two-stroke engine with a Yuneec Power Drive 20 {{convert|20|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} electric motor and two {{convert|28|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} Lithium polymer battery packs which provide a 40-minute endurance. The aircraft is intended to be developed into a commercially available kit and forecast to be available for under US$25,000.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FlightstarUltralightFirstFlightYuneecStartsUSFlightTesting_200774-1.html|title = Electric Flight Update: Flightstar Ultralight First Flight, Yuneec Starts U.S. Flight Testing |accessdate = 2009-07-23|last = Grady|first = Mary|authorlink = |date=July 2009}}{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/podcast/podcast/AudioPodcast_TomPeghiny_FlightDesign_eSpyder_200966-1.html?kw=AVwebAudio|title = Interview with Flight Design's Tom Peghiny|accessdate = 2009-08-07|last = Grady|first = Mary|authorlink = |date=August 2009}}{{cite web|url = http://www.flyespyder.com/|title = Yuneec-Flightstar e-Spyder|accessdate = 2009-10-14|last = Flightstar Sportplanes|authorlink = |year = 2009 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20091107050125/http://www.flyespyder.com/ |archivedate = 7 November 2009}}

The aircraft are also produced under licence in India by Albatross Flying Systems.

;Flightstar

:Original mid-1980s single seat ultralight with an empty weight of {{convert|250|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, powered by the {{convert|26|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 277 engine

;Flightstar Formula

:Improved single seat version with complete fairing and an empty weight of {{convert|320|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. First flown in 1987 Powered by the {{convert|42|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 447 or {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503 engine

;Flightstar Spyder

:Further refined single seat version first flown in 1993. Partial or complete fairing and an empty weight of {{convert|280|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} with the {{convert|42|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 447. Can be operated in the US ultralight vehicle category if equipped with a lighter single-cylinder engine

;Flightstar Loadstar

:Fuselage, wings and tail of the Flightstar II with just a single seat fitted, intended for use on floats or to tow hang gliders. Empty weight of {{convert|340|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} with the {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503.

File:Greenwing-ESypyder.jpg

;Flightstar e-Spyder

:Electric aircraft development of the Spyder in conjunction with Yuneec International of China. Equipped with a Yuneec Power Drive 20 {{convert|20|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} electric motor and two {{convert|28|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} lithium-polymer battery packs which provide a 40 minute endurance. First flown in July 2009. Qualifies as a US single seat ultralight with an empty weight of {{convert|253|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. In June 2013 it was announced that the aircraft would be produced, marketed and supported by GreenWing International.{{cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/NewCompanyWillMarketYuneecElectricAircraft_208910-1.html|title = New Company Will Market Yuneec Electric Aircraft |accessdate = 27 June 2013|last = Grady|first = Mary|date = 27 June 2013| work = AVweb}} In July 2013 the aircraft received German DULV certification, to become the first electric-powered aircraft to be certified by a national authority.{{cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Germany-Certifies-Light-Electric-Plane-Airventure-yuneec-greenwing-espyder220144-1.html|title = German-Certified Light Electric Plane To Visit Osh |accessdate = 18 July 2013|last = Pew|first = Glenn|date = 15 July 2013| work = AVweb}}Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 58. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}} By 2014 GreenWing was out of business.{{cite web|url = https://www.facebook.com/GreenWingInternational|title = GreenWing International|work=Facebook|accessdate = 10 January 2017|author = GreenWing International|date = 29 December 2013}}

;Flightstar II

:Original two-seat ultralight trainer first flown in 1987 with an empty weight of {{convert|365|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and powered by the {{convert|26|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 277 engine, {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503, {{convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} HKS 700E four-stroke or the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 582

;Flightstar IISL

:Improved "Sport Light" two-seat version, first flown in 1994. Empty weight of {{convert|365|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, partial cockpit fairing was standard and full fairing optional. Powered by the {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503, {{convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} HKS 700E four-stroke or the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 582

;Flightstar IISC

:Improved two-seat "Sport Cabin" version. Empty weight of {{convert|465|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, powered by the {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503, {{convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} HKS 700E four-stroke or the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 582

File:Flightstar II C-IGRH 02.JPG

{{Aircraft specs

|prime units? = imp

|ref=Kitplanes

|crew=one

|capacity=one passenger and 520 lb (236 kg) useful load

|length ft= 15

|length in= 0

|length m=4.56

|span ft=32

|span in=0

|span m=9.76

|height ft=7

|height in=6

|height m=2.29

|wing area sqft= 157

|wing area sqm= 14.60

|empty weight lb= 430

|empty weight kg= 195

|max takeoff weight lb= 950

|max takeoff weight kg= 431

|eng1 name=HKS 700E

|eng1 type=two-cylinder four-stroke

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 hp= 60

|eng1 kw=45

|max speed mph= 96

|max speed kmh=156

|cruise speed mph= 75

|cruise speed kmh=122

|stall speed mph= 36

|stall speed kmh= 58

|range mi= 345

|range km=559

|ceiling ft= 12,000

|ceiling m= 3660

|climb rate ftmin= 800

|climb rate ms= 4.06

|wing loading lb/sqft=6.05

|wing loading kg/m2=29.52

|power/mass=15.83 lb/hp (0.104 kW/kg)

}}

{{aircontent

|see also=

|related=

|similar aircraft=

• Aero-Works Aerolite 103
• Avid Champion
• Beaujon Mach .07
• Beaujon Enduro
• Birdman WT-11 Chinook
• Hy-Tek Hurricane 103
• ISON Airbike
• Phantom X1
• Skystar Kitfox Lite
• Spectrum RX-28 Beaver

|lists=

}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Flightstar (aircraft)}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.flyflightstar.com/ Company website archives] on Archive.org

{{Flightstar Sportplanes}}

{{Yuneec International aircraft}}

Category:1980s United States ultralight aircraft

Category:Electric aircraft

eSpyder

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1987

Category:High-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear

Flightstar

Category:Single-engined piston aircraft

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft