Sabre Wildcat
| {{Infobox Aircraft Begin
| name=Wildcat | image=Sabre Wildcat Trike.JPG | caption= }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type | type=Ultralight trike | national origin=United States | manufacturer=Sabre Aircraft | designer=Richard Helm | first flight= | introduced= | retired= | status=Production completed | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built= | program cost= | unit cost= US$10,800 (Elite model, 2000) | developed from= | variants with their own articles= }} |
The Sabre Wildcat is one of a series of American two-seat ultralight trikes that was designed by Richard Helm and produced by Sabre Aircraft. The aircraft were all supplied complete and ready-to-fly.Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-21. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 48. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 49. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 108. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485XPurdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 247. BAI Communications, 1998. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.sabretrikes.com/LSA.htm |title = The Sabre Trike fits the new Light Sport Aircraft Category perfectly |accessdate = 23 January 2012|last = Sabre Aircraft|date = 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080216124402/http://www.sabretrikes.com/LSA.htm |archivedate = 16 February 2008}}
Sabre Aircraft ceased operations in 2008.{{Cite web|url = http://www.sabretrikes.com|title = Welcome to Sabre Aircraft|accessdate = 23 January 2012|last = Sabre Aircraft|date = 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080330222633/http://www.sabretrikes.com/ |archivedate = 30 March 2008}}
Design and development
The aircraft features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration. The aircraft is made from tubing, with its double-surface Stream 16 wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its {{convert|34|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame control bar.
Like the single-seat Sabre 340 the basic models of the two-seater were intended to be economical to purchase. The Elite model cost US$10,800 in 2000, making it the least expensive complete two-seat aircraft available at the time.
Variants
;Trike
:Initial version, named just the Sabre Trike. Standard engine was the {{convert|30|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Kawasaki 340, with the {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 447 and {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503 optional. Price US$6,995 in 1998.
;Aeros 503
:Model offered in 2000, with the Aeros Stranger wing and {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503 engine. Price US$9,190 in 2000.
;Elite
:Base model offered circa 2000 with standard {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 447 two-stroke powerplant or optional {{convert|30|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Kawasaki 340. Optional cockpit fairing, tundra tires and wheel pants.
;Venture
:Fully equipped model introduced in 2000 with standard {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503 two-stroke powerplant and a redesigned titanium carriage frame made in Ukraine. Optional engines include the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 582 and the {{convert|30|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Kawasaki 340.
;Wildcat
:Redesigned two-seat model with standard Zanzottera MZ 202 {{convert|65|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} engine, Ivoprop propeller, electric starter and saddle bags. Optional engines include the {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 447, {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503 and the {{convert|30|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Kawasaki 340. The wings available included the Sabre single-surface and Puma double-surface wings. Price US$14,995 in 2005.
Specifications (Wildcat)
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=imp
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|crew=one
|capacity=one passenger
|length m=
|length ft=13
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|span m=
|span ft=35
|span in=6
|span note=
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|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=177
|wing area note=
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|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=330
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=885
|gross weight note=
|fuel capacity={{convert|10|u.s.gal}}
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Zanzottera MZ 202
|eng1 type=two-cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=65
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|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=55
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|cruise speed mph=46
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|stall speed mph=21
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|never exceed speed kmh=
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|range miles=250
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|climb rate ftmin=1200
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References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category|Sabre Wildcat}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080330222648/http://www.sabretrikes.com/indexold.html Archive of Sabre Wildcat official website] from March 2008 on Archive.org
{{Sabre Aircraft}}
Category:1990s United States ultralight aircraft