Spectrum Beaver

Last updated

Beaver
ASAP Beaver RX550 Plus C-IEVC.jpeg
ASAP Beaver RX 550 Plus
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin Canada
Manufacturer Spectrum Aircraft
Beaver RX Enterprises
Fun Flight Inc
Aircraft Sales and Parts
DesignerLarry Croome
First flight1983
Introduction1983
StatusKits in production
Number built2080 (2011) [1]
Variants Freedom Lite SS-11 Skywatch
ASAP Beaver SS at the Canadian Aviation Expo ASAP 2004 model Beaver SS C-ICZV.JPG
ASAP Beaver SS at the Canadian Aviation Expo
Spectrum Beaver RX 550 at Chestermere (Kirkby Field) Airport Spectrum RX-550 Beaver C-IATG 03.JPG
Spectrum Beaver RX 550 at Chestermere (Kirkby Field) Airport
Spectrum Beaver RX 550 with home-built enclosure at the COPA Convention in Wetaskiwin, Alberta Spectrum Aircraft Beaver RX550 C-ICRN 01.JPG
Spectrum Beaver RX 550 with home-built enclosure at the COPA Convention in Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Freedom Lite Skywatch SS-11 Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplane at Alexandria, Ontario Skywatch SS11 C-IGHL 06.JPG
Freedom Lite Skywatch SS-11 Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplane at Alexandria, Ontario

The Spectrum Beaver is a family of single- and two-place, pusher configuration, high-wing ultralight aircraft that were designed by Larry Croome and first introduced by Spectrum Aircraft of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, in 1983. [2] [3]

Contents

Beaver ultralights have evolved as designs over time, have been produced by several companies and remain in production in the 21st century. [3] [4]

Development

The first model Beaver was the RX-28, a simple lightweight single-seat aircraft that was intended to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, including the category's maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight. The model designation indicated that it was Rotax-28 hp as it was powered by the 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277 single-cylinder, two-stroke powerplant. With this engine the RX-28 had an empty weight of 232 lb (105 kg). [3]

The availability of the 35 hp (26 kW) Rotax 377 engine led to a higher-powered version of the RX-28, which was designated the RX-35. This Beaver model was fitted with floats and continued in production by Spectrum Aircraft until they ceased business in 1992. The RX-35 was a predictable and extremely nimble flyer with a respectable roll rate. Not designed with the intentions of negative flight, the RX-35 was flown very aggressively -yet excellently including light negative loadings by a highly skilled pilot named Dennis Maitlin(spelling?). There is an older video depicting a student out of control, showing his high skill doing fantastic maneuvers including inverted -however much too close to the ground and not a good example of responsible flight. [3]

Building on the success of the single-seat Beaver models, Spectrum Aircraft introduced the two-place Beaver RX 550 in December 1984. The fuselage was shown at an ultralight trade show in Los Angeles and test flown in February of 1985. It quickly became the most popular ultralight trainer in Canada. The combination of its predictable and docile handling, along with the reliable Rotax 503 50 hp (37 kW) engine, ensured its success. Larry Croome left Spectrum Aircraft Inc in 1986. Up to year 1990 more than 1800 kits were delivered around the world including Africa. [3]

Intending to improve on the RX 550, Spectrum introduced the Beaver RX 650 in 1991, intending to place it in the Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplane category (AULA) in Canada. The RX 650 has doors that fold upwards, making it ideal for use on floats. The cockpit cage was changed to welded steel tube, from the previously used aluminum, and a sprung tailwheel was added. In service, the 650 quickly proved to have structural issues and its acceptance in the AULA category was rescinded by Transport Canada until the issues could be rectified. Most customer 650s were kept flying by operating them in the Basic Ultra-light Aeroplane category. Spectrum Aircraft went out of business in 1992, prior to rectifying the issues with the 650. [3]

A new company, Beaver RX Enterprises acquired the design and commenced production of the RX 550, placing it in the AULA category. They did not produce the single-seaters or the RX 650. Despite demand for the Beaver, the company soon went out of business. [3] [4] [5]

Fun Flight Inc of Alexandria, Virginia, United States, also produced the RX550 model in the late 1990s. [6]

In 1995, Aircraft Sales and Parts (ASAP) of Vernon, British Columbia, purchased the Beaver tooling and redesigned the RX 550. The new version, designated the RX 550 Plus, incorporated a new wing with a greater number of wing ribs and standard aircraft fabric replacing the Dacron covering. The ASAP RX 550 Plus remains in production and available in kit form. It can be registered in the Canadian Basic and Advanced ultralight categories as well as in the US and Canadian amateur-built aircraft categories. By the end of 2007, a total of 2000 RX 550s had been produced by all manufacturers. [2] [3] [5]

In 1996, a new company, Freedom Lite of Walton, Ontario, reintroduced the Beaver RX 650, first displaying it at Sun 'n Fun that year. The improved RX 650 incorporated 186 changes over the previous RX 650 design and the company renamed it the Freedom Lite SS-11 Skywatch. The wings use conventional aircraft fabric instead of Dacron, giving build times of about 250 hours. The company placed the aircraft in the Canadian AULA category. Freedom Lite soon went out of business, and the design was acquired by Legend Lite of New Hamburg, Ontario. This new company also closed its doors in the early 2000s. [3] [5] [6]

In 2000, the manufacturer of RX 550 Plus kits, ASAP, reintroduced a single-seat version of the Beaver, designated the Beaver SS (Single Seat). This is similar to the original RX-28, but powered by a 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 engine and with a wing derived from the RX 550 Plus design, with additional ribs. The new wing is covered in standard aircraft fabric and incorporates drag tubes in place of the original drag wires. The empty weight has increased somewhat to 340 lb (154 kg), putting it above the maximum empty weight for the US FAR 103 category. In Canada, it can be flown in the basic ultralight category or amateur-built. By the end of 2007, ten had been completed and flown. [2] [3] [7]

Design

The Beaver family of aircraft all have similar construction, with the frame fuselage constructed around a single longitudinal 6061-T6 aluminum tube that supports the tail, landing gear and seats. The wings and engine mount are similarly of 6061-T6 aluminum tube and attached to the main tube by connecting struts. The wing features aluminum tube spars and ribs. All Beavers prior to the RX 550 Plus and the SS had pre-sewn Dacron envelopes, which enabled builders to complete the kits in as little as 100 hours. The later models use conventional fabric methods and this makes the factory-claimed build times 150–200 hours for the SS and 180–200 hours to the RX 550 Plus. [2] [3]

All Beaver wings are swept-back and have elliptical tips. The Plus wing differs from the earlier Beaver wings in that it replaces the internal drag wires with tubes and uses many more ribs to maintain a better airfoil shape, at the cost of additional weight and complexity, but does perform even better. The SS and RX 550 Plus wings have 3/4 span ailerons. All models have conventional three-axis controls. [3]

The landing gear is of tricycle configuration. Earlier models did not have a steerable nosewheel since the nose wheel load weight was very light and could be used a little like a tail dragger, but the SS and RX 550 Plus include this feature. Most models have independent mechanical or hydraulic brakes. [3]

The cockpit pod enclosure is made of fiberglass and incorporates a windshield. [3]

Operational history

The Beaver has proven very popular in service, both with flight schools and private owners, due to its ruggedness and pleasant handling characteristics. ASAP owner Brent Holomis says that "The RX-550 is often used as a trainer because it's so easy to fly." [3] [4]

The early single seat RX-28 suffered from a problem of main tube cracking in operational service, due to the close proximity of the muffler heating the tube. This was later resolved by relocating the muffler. [3]

Variants

Beaver RX-28
Single-seat, powered by a 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277, produced by Spectrum Aircraft. [3]
Beaver RX-35
Single-seat, powered by a 35 hp (26 kW) Rotax 377, produced by Spectrum Aircraft. [3]
Beaver RX-550
Two-seat, powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503, produced by Spectrum Aircraft. [3]
Beaver RX-550 Plus
Two-seat, powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 or 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582, produced by ASAP. [3]
Beaver RX-650
Two-seat, powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 or 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582, produced by Spectrum Aircraft and Beaver RX Enterprises. [3]
SS-11 Skywatch
Two-seat, powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 or 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582, produced by Freedom Lite and Legend Lite. [3]
Beaver SS
Single-seat, powered by a 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447, 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 or 45 hp (34 kW) Zanzottera MZ 201, produced by ASAP. [3] [8] [9]

Aircraft on display

Carl Hiebert's Beaver RX 550 on display in the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Spectrum Beaver RX550 C-IGOW 01.JPG
Carl Hiebert's Beaver RX 550 on display in the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Spectrum Beaver RX 550 C-IGOW is on display in the storage wing of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. In 1986 this aircraft was flown 5,000 mi (8,047 km) from Halifax to land at Expo '86 in Vancouver by Carl Hiebert, a Canadian paraplegic pilot, to raise awareness of disability issues. The story of the journey was published as a book by Hiebert under the title Gift of Wings. [10] [11]

Specifications (Beaver SS)

Data from Cliche [3] & ASAP [7]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rotax 582</span> Austrian two-stroke aircraft engine

The Rotax 582 is a 48 kW (64 hp) two-stroke, two-cylinder, rotary intake valve, oil-in-fuel or oil injection pump, liquid-cooled, gear reduction-drive aircraft engine manufactured by BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG. It is for use in non-certified aircraft operating in day visual flight rules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spectrum Aircraft</span> Canadian ultralight aircraft manufacturer

Spectrum Aircraft was a Canadian ultralight aircraft manufacturer that commenced operations in 1983 and went out of business in 1992. The company was known for its Beaver ultralight design, which remains in production by successor companies in the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birdman Chinook</span> Canadian ultralight aircraft

The Birdman Chinook is a family of single and two-place, pusher configuration, high-wing ultralight aircraft that was first flown on 12 December 1982 and produced by Birdman Enterprises of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, starting in 1983.

The Adams CA-2 is a single seat, low-wing, American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Frank Griffith of Corning Aircraft around 1992 and was available as plans for amateur construction until 1999. In 1999, Hummel Aviation of Bryan, Ohio began offering the design. Although the design was well received, plans were no longer listed as being available from Hummel Aviation as of 2007.

The Airdrome Dream Classic is a minimalist, high wing, single seat, single engine ultralight aircraft inspired by the 1908 Santos-Dumont Demoiselle and produced in kit form by Airdrome Aeroplanes of Holden, Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flightstar</span> Type of aircraft

The Flightstar is a large family of single and two-seat, high wing, single engined kit aircraft that was produced by Flightstar Sportplanes of South Woodstock, Connecticut. In 2009 the rights, tooling and parts inventory were sold to Yuneec International of China when Flightstar Sportplanes' business was wound up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fisher FP-404</span> Canadian homebuilt light aircraft

The Fisher FP-404 is a Canadian single-seat, conventional landing gear, single-engined biplane kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders. Fisher Flying Products was originally based in Edgeley, North Dakota, USA but the company is now located in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada.

The Fisher FP-606 Sky Baby is a Canadian single-seat, conventional landing gear or tricycle landing gear-equipped, single-engined, high-wing monoplane kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders. Fisher Flying Products was originally based in Edgeley, North Dakota, United States, but the company is now located in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fisher FP-101</span> American ultralight airplane

The Fisher FP-101 is an American single-seat, high-wing, conventional landing gear, tractor configuration single engine ultralight aircraft that was available in kit form from Lite Flite of South Webster, Ohio and later Fisher Flying Products of Edgeley, North Dakota.

The Freebird I is an American single-seat, high wing, tricycle gear, single engined pusher configuration ultralight kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders by the Freebird Airplane Company of Marshville, North Carolina and later also produced by Pro Sport Aviation of Wingate, North Carolina.

The Freebird II is a family of American side-by-side two-seat, high wing, tricycle gear, pusher configuration single engined kit aircraft originally designed for construction by amateur builders by the Freebird Airplane Company of Marshville, North Carolina, and later Pro Sport Aviation of Wingate, North Carolina.

The InterPlane Griffon is a single seat, high wing, single engine, pusher configuration, tricycle gear ultralight aircraft, that was produced in kit form from InterPlane Aircraft of Zbraslavice, Czech Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">InterPlane Skyboy</span> Type of aircraft

The InterPlane Skyboy is a two-seat, side-by-side, high wing, single engine, pusher configuration ultralight aircraft that was manufactured as a completed aircraft by InterPlane Aircraft of Zbraslavice, Czech Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CGS Hawk</span> Type of aircraft

The CGS Hawk is a family of high wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration, single and two-seats-in-tandem ultralight aircraft, designed by Chuck Slusarczyk and manufactured by CGS Aviation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kolb Firestar</span> Type of aircraft

The Kolb Firestar is a family of American open cockpit, high wing, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rans S-12 Airaile</span> Type of aircraft

The Rans S-12 Airaile is a family of related American single-engined, pusher configuration, high-wing monoplanes designed by Randy Schlitter and manufactured by Rans Inc. The aircraft are available in kit form for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joplin Tundra</span> CzechCanadian ultralight aircraft

The Joplin Tundra is a family of Canadian, high-wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration ultralight aircraft that was originally produced by Back Forty Developments of Campbellford, Ontario, Canada and later by Joplin Light Aircraft of Joplin, Missouri and Laron Aviation of Borger, Texas for amateur construction. The aircraft is out of production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denney Kitfox</span> Homebuilt aircraft family by Denney Aerocraft

The Denney Kitfox is a series of small side-by-side, two-seat, high-wing, single engine kit aircraft, designed and originally manufactured by Dan Denney and his company Denney Aerocraft of Boise, Idaho. The aircraft is amateur-built and not type-certified. Over 4500 kits have been delivered in 42 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M-Squared Breese</span> Type of aircraft

The M-Squared Breese is a large family of high-wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration, tricycle gear, ultralight aircraft produced by M-Squared Aircraft of St. Elmo, Alabama in kit form, for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freedom Lite SS-11 Skywatch</span> Canadian ultralight aircraft

The Freedom Lite SS-11 Skywatch is a Canadian ultralight aircraft that was produced by Freedom Lite of Walton, Ontario and later by Legend Lite of New Hamburg, Ontario, introduced in 1996. When it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft, or as a kit for amateur construction.

References

  1. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 36. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. 1 2 3 4 Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 37. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, pages B-9, B-70, B-103 & E-6. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN   0-9680628-1-4
  4. 1 2 3 Johnson, Dan (April 2000). "Canada's Popular Beaver Gets a New Lease on Life". Archived from the original on 26 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 Transport Canada (May 2009). "Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)" . Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  6. 1 2 Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter – Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, pages 166 and 168. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN   0-9636409-4-1
  7. 1 2 Aircraft Sales and Parts (2002). "Beaver SS – General Specs". Archived from the original on 20 August 2004. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  8. Aircraft Sales and Parts (August 2009). "Beaver Pricelists". Archived from the original on 4 April 2005. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  9. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 89. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  10. Canada Aviation Museum (n.d.). "Spectrum Beaver RX550" . Retrieved 7 August 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  11. Hiebert, Carl (2009). "Gift of Wings" . Retrieved 7 August 2009.