Haig Minibat
{{Short description|American glider}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
| {{Infobox Aircraft Begin
| name = Minibat | image = File:KN Haig Minibat 1979.jpg | caption = }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type | type = Motor glider | national origin = United States | manufacturer = Larry Haig | designer = Larry Haig | first flight = 1979 | introduced = | retired = | status = No longer in production | primary user = | more users = | produced = | number built = 55 sets of plans sold, at least ten completed | developed from = | variants with their own articles = }} |
The Haig Minibat is a high-wing, single-seat tailless motor glider that was designed by Larry Haig, and first flown in 1979.{{Cite web|title=J2mcL Planeurs - Fiche planeur n°|url=https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=686|access-date=2021-07-17|website=www.j2mcl-planeurs.net}} At one time available as plans or in kit form for amateur construction. The kit is no longer available.{{Cite web|url = http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?PlaneID=226|title = Minibat Haig|accessdate = 18 March 2011|last = Activate Media|year = 2006|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120405061059/http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?PlaneID=226|archivedate = 5 April 2012}}Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 122. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
Design and development
The Minibat was designed by Haig as a motor glider, but without self-launching capabilities, instead the aircraft is launched by aerotow, winch launching or auto-tow. The small chainsaw engine provides enough power to ensure a positive rate of climb and prevent land-outs, but not enough power for launching. The design goal was a glider with slightly greater performance than the Schweizer 1-26.
The Minibat is constructed predominantly from foam and fiberglass and features a monowheel landing gear. The engine is mounted in the rear fuselage in pusher configuration, with the propeller mounted unconventionally between the fuselage and the rudder. Wingtip extensions are available which increase the wingspan to {{convert|32.7|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} and raise the aircraft's glide ratio from 23:1 with the standard {{convert|25|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wings to 30:1.
Operational history
In March 2011 there were ten Minibats registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the USA.{{Cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=&Modeltxt=MINIBAT&PageNo=1|title = Make / Model Inquiry Results|accessdate = 18 March 2011|last = Federal Aviation Administration|authorlink = |date=March 2011}}
Specifications (Minibat with wingtip extensions)
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|span ft=32
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|wing area sqft=76.5
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|aspect ratio=14:1
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|empty weight lb=130
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|gross weight lb=350
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=chain saw engine
|eng1 type=single cylinder
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|glide ratio=30:1
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|sink rate ftmin=180
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See also
References
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External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120316164658/http://www.nuricom.de/Models/KN_1982_Flywing_Draw_Mini_Haig%20Minibat.jpg Three view drawing]
- [http://www.nurflugel.com/Nurflugel/Fauvel/minibat2.jpg Photo of Minibat]
Category:1970s United States sailplanes