Airmass Sunburst

The Airmass Sunburst is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by John Massey and produced by Airmass Inc. in the early 1980s. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2]

Sunburst
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Airmass Inc.
Designer John Massey
Status Production completed

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 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 253 lb (115 kg). It features a cable-braced high-wing, an inverted V-tail, a single-seat, open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing. Its 36 ft (11.0 m) span wing is supported by cables attached to an inverted "V" kingpost. The control system is three-axis, with roll controlled by spoilers, using a side stick and pitch and yaw controlled by ruddervators. The pilot is accommodated on an open seat without a windshield. The landing gear features a steerable nose wheel and suspension on all three wheels. The Cuyuna 430 engine of 30 hp (22 kW) is mounted under the wing and drives the pusher propeller through an extension shaft.[1][2]

Construction time from the factory-supplied assembly kit was estimated at 30 hours. The aircraft can be disassembled and stored in a bag suitable for car-top ground transportation.[2]

Operational history

A number of Sunbursts suffered structural failures that resulted in fatal accidents. The cause was traced to cable attachment brackets that were made with rough holes that over time in service sawed through the cable thimbles and caused the flight cables to break. This was addressed by replacing the brackets.[1]

In service the propeller extension shaft suffered from vibration issues that caused failures of the engine output shaft. This was addressed by the use of a vibration dampening shaft coupler made from rubber.[1]

Specifications (Sunburst)

Data from Cliche and the Virtual Ultralight Museum[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 16 ft (4.9 m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft (11 m)
  • Height: 9 ft (2.7 m)
  • Wing area: 159 sq ft (14.8 m2)
  • Empty weight: 253 lb (115 kg)
  • Gross weight: 525 lb (238 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Cuyuna 430 two cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, 30 hp (22 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 35 mph (56 km/h, 30 kn)
  • Stall speed: 25 mph (40 km/h, 22 kn)
  • Range: 100 mi (160 km, 87 nmi)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 10:1 at 40 mph (64 km/h)
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 3.30 lb/sq ft (16.1 kg/m2)

References
  1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-38. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  2. Virtual Ultralight Museum (n.d.). "Sunburst". Retrieved 17 December 2011.
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