Worldwide Ultralite Clipper
{{Short description|American ultralight aircraft}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
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| name=Clipper | image= | caption= }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type=Ultralight aircraft | national origin=United States | manufacturer=Worldwide Ultralite Industries | designer= | first flight= | introduced= | retired= | status=Production completed | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built= | developed from= | variants with their own articles= }} |
The Worldwide Ultralite Clipper is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by Worldwide Ultralite Industries of Katy, Texas in the early 1980s. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-10. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}{{Cite news|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aOQDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Worldwide%20Ultralite%20Clipper%22&pg=PA140|title = Kitplanes Without a Licence|accessdate = 5 November 2011|last = Popular Mechanics|author-link = Popular Mechanics|date = December 1984| work = Google Books}}
With a strut-braced parasol-wing, conventional landing gear, single engine in tractor configuration and its single-seat, open cockpit configuration, the Clipper resembles a small conventional light aircraft and was designed to appeal to private pilots looking for an ultralight aircraft.
Design and development
The aircraft was designed to 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 aircraft has a standard empty weight of {{convert|252|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}.
The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its {{convert|30|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} span wing has flaps and is supported by parallel lift struts and jury struts. The airframe was proof tested to +9/-6g ultimate load. The conventional landing gear features balloon tires and a steerable tailwheel. The standard powerplant supplied by the factory was the {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 447, single ignition, two cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine.
The company was noted for its marketing of the aircraft at trade shows, such as EAA AirVenture. They employed scantily-clad models to attract attention to the aircraft, something not normally seen at aircraft trade shows.
Specifications (Clipper)
{{Aircraft specs
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|wing area sqft=154
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|empty weight lb=252
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|gross weight lb=580
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|fuel capacity={{convert|5|u.s.gal}}
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Rotax 447
|eng1 type=single ignition, two cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, with 2.5:1 reduction drive
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|eng1 hp=40
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|max speed mph=63
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|cruise speed mph=60
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|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=20
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|never exceed speed mph=100
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|range km=
|range miles=130
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|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=14000
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|g limits=+9/-6 ultimate load
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|climb rate ftmin=500
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References
{{Reflist}}
{{Worldwide Ultralite aircraft}}
Category:1980s United States ultralight aircraft