See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
| Atlas | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight aircraft |
| National origin | Canada |
| Manufacturer | Birdman Enterprises |
| Designer | Bob Lovejoy |
| Introduction | 1980 [1] |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | more than 500 [2] |
| Developed from | Eipper Quicksilver |
The Birdman Atlas is a single-seat, high wing, single engine in pusher configuration, ultralight aircraft that was based upon the Eipper Quicksilver design. [1] [3]
The Atlas was introduced to the marketplace in 1980. Production was curtailed in about 1983 as the company concentrated on producing the newer Birdman WT-11 Chinook instead. [1]
The Atlas was a development of the Quicksilver and as such incorporated many of the Quicksilver's features, such as a 6061-T6 aluminum-framed, single-surface Dacron-covered, wire-braced high wing, with the ground wires suspended from a kingpost. The fuselage structure was also built from 6061-T6 aluminum tube. [3]
The early Atlas XC variants used weight shift for control supplemented with a rudder, whereas the later 3-A versions (for 3-Axis) utilized a conventional control system with elevator and rudder, and spoilers for roll control. [3]
Data from Janes All the Worlds Aircraft 1982-83 [3]
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Quicksilver is a line of single and two-place high wing, single-engine, ultralight aircraft that evolved from weight-shift hang gliders including Bob Lovejoy's High Tailer.
The AmEagle American Eaglet was a highly unorthodox ultralight sailplane marketed in the U.S. for homebuilding. It was a one-seat, high-wing braced monoplane that carried an inverted V-tail on a long boom extending from a pod-like fuselage. Intended for self-launching, it was equipped with a McCulloch go-kart engine and a folding propeller behind the cabin. Its first flight was on 19 November 1975, and by 1978, at least 250 sets of plans had been sold, with 12 aircraft reportedly completed.
The Zenair Zipper is a Canadian ultralight high-wing, single seat aircraft that was designed by Chris Heintz and produced by Zenair.
The Fisher Boomerang is a single-seat conventional landing gear, high-winged monoplane ultralight aircraft designed by Michael Fisher and introduced in mid-1982.
The 2si 215 is a family of single-cylinder, fan-cooled, two-stroke, single ignition, aircraft engines that were designed for ultralight aircraft.
The Kolb Ultrastar is an American single seat, high wing, strut-braced, single engine, pusher configuration, conventional landing gear-equipped ultralight aircraft that was produced in kit form by Kolb Aircraft of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and intended for amateur construction.
The Milholland Legal Eagle is an American high wing, strut-braced, single engine, tractor configuration, conventional landing gear-equipped ultralight aircraft that is available as plans from Better Half VW of Brookshire, Texas and also produced in kit form by J&N Bolding Enterprises of Baytown, Texas and intended for amateur construction.
The Ultralight Engineering Astra is an American high-wing, tricycle landing gear, cable-braced, single-seat, open cockpit, single engine in pusher configuration, ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by Ultralight Engineering in the 1980s. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
The Robertson B1-RD is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Glen Bashforth and Bruce Bashforth and produced by the Robertson Aircraft Corporation. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction with production starting in June 1982.
The International Ultralight Banchee is an American ultralight aircraft designed by Brian Jensen, Gil Kinzie and Nick Nichols and produced by International Ultralight Aviation. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
The American Aerolights Eagle is an American ultralight aircraft that was produced by American Aerolights, introduced in 1975. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
The Advanced Aviation Husky, Hi-Nuski and Coyote are a family of American ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by Advanced Aviation. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction and introduced in 1978.
The Striplin Lone Ranger is a family of American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Ken Striplin. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
The Paup P-Craft is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by D. Paup and produced by Paup Aircraft, introduced in 1982. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
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.
The Eastern Ultralights Snoop is a family of American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Bob Able and produced by Eastern Ultralights, starting in 1981. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
The Teratorn T/A is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by Teratorn Aircraft. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
The Pinaire Ultra-Aire is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by Pinaire Engineering. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
The Ultralite Soaring Wizard is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by Ultralite Soaring Inc. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.
The LEAF Trike is an American ultralight trike that was designed and produced by Leading Edge Air Foils in the 1980s. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.