Rotec Rally
| {{Infobox Aircraft Begin
| name=Rally | image= Rotec Rally 2B ‘YAT’ (49234625916).jpg | caption= }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type | type=Ultralight aircraft | national origin=United States | manufacturer=Rotec Engineering | designer=Bill Adaska | first flight= | introduced=1977 | retired= | status=Production completed | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built=more than 2000 | program cost= | unit cost= | developed from= | variants with their own articles= }} |
The Rotec Rally is a family of American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Bill Adaska in 1977 and produced by Rotec Engineering of Duncanville, Texas. Adaska had been an aeronautical engineer at Bell Helicopter and the French helicopter manufacturer, Aerospatiale, prior to starting Rotec. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-30. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}{{Cite web|url = http://virtualultralightmuseum.com/qr.htm#rally|title = Rally Sport|access-date = 8 December 2011|last = Virtual Ultralight Museum|date = n.d.}}{{cite news|url = http://all-aero.com/index.php/69-manufacturers/manufacturers-n-z/9312-rotec-engineering-|title = Rotec Engineering|access-date = 22 February 2015|year = 2015| work = All Aero}}
Design and development
The earliest Rallys were derived from hang gliders and comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. The Rally 2, for instance, has a standard empty weight of {{convert|145|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. The series all feature a cable-braced high-wing, a single-seat, open cockpit, conventional landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration. The series was highly successful due to its low price and solid engineering.
The aircraft is made from aluminum tubing, with the flying surfaces covered in Dacron sailcloth. The wing is cable braced from a single kingpost mounted on top of the wing. The tailwheel is sprung.
The first Rallys were simple powered hang gliders and grew in sophistication as the model numbers increased. More than 2000 Rallys were delivered.
Operational history
In reviewing the Rally, All-Aero said:
{{Quotation|The Rotec [Rally] was really just a cheap copy of the Quicksilver MX. For example the rudder, elevator, and spoileron cables were just rope. To attach these to the control systems Adaska used plastic hooks, and you literally tied a knot in the rope to attach the hook! Plastic fittings were used on the elevator, rudder, and spoilerons. These would crack and break when exposed to UV and cold. With all this said the craft did fly, was quite forgiving, and easy to repair, and with some changes is a safe, fun, affordable flying machine. }}
Variants
;Rally 1
:Early powered hang glider model introduced in 1977.
;Rally 2
:Improved powered hang glider model with weight shift control for pitch and roll with a seat-cable controlled rudder introduced in 1979. Standard engine is the Solo 210 of {{convert|20|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. It has a {{convert|145|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} empty weight and a cruise speed of {{convert|23|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.
;Rally 2B
:Development of the Rally 2, with a conventional three-axis control system, including wing-mounted ailerons. In production models after 1981 the ailerons were replaced with spoilers for roll control. The control stick on the Rally 2B is hinged from the top, which simplified control runs to the high wing. Standard engine supplied was the Cuyuna 430 two-stroke.
;Rally 3
:Two seat version of the Rally 2B, introduced in 1981.
;Rally Sport
:Structurally strengthened version of the Rally 2B for aerobatics, with a {{convert|248|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} empty weight, {{convert|27|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wingspan and glide ratio of 8:1. Introduced in January 1983.
Aircraft on display
- Southern Museum of Flight - Rally 2B{{Cite web|url = http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/North_America/USA/Alabama/Birmingham/Southern_Museum_of_Flight.htm|title = Southern Museum of Flight|access-date = 8 December 2011|last = aviationmuseum.eu |date = n.d.}}
- Texas Air Museum - Stinson Chapter - Rally 2B
Specifications (Rally 2B)
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=imp
|genhide=
|crew=one
|capacity=
|length m=
|length ft=
|length in=
|length note=
|span m=
|span ft=31
|span in=
|span note=
|height m=
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=155
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=218
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=466
|gross weight note=
|fuel capacity={{convert|2.9|u.s.gal}}
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Cuyuna 430
|eng1 type=twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=35
|prop blade number=
|prop name=
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop note=
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=40
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=19
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=78
|range nmi=
|range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|g limits=+3.8/-1.0
|roll rate=
|glide ratio=7:1
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=680
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|sink rate ms=
|sink rate ftmin=
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}
{{aircontent
|see also=
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.gcufo.com/pixpages/joereed_rally.jpg Photo of Rally]
{{Rotec Engineering aircraft}}
Category:Rotec Engineering aircraft