Stits SA-8 Skeeto

Last updated
Stits SA-8A Skeeto
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States of America
Designer Ray Stits
Introduction1957

The Stits SA-8A Skeeto is an early homebuilt ultralight design by Ray Stits. ("Ultralight" was not official classification in America at the time since Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 (Federal Aviation Regulations) Part 103, better known as 14 CFR Part 103 or just Part 103, which defined ultralight vehicles in the United States, was not adopted until 1982.)

Contents

Development

The Skeeto was initially intended to be an affordable light aircraft that could be built complete for under $500 in 1957. The fuselage was welded steel tubing, with mostly fabric covered wood construction for the wings and control surfaces. The engine for this kit venture was to be a low cost off-the shelf model.

[1]

Operational history

Test flights were limited to the length of the runway after the aircraft was registered as a "research and development" project. The roll rate was so low at 20-30 mph, that rudder turns were preferred. The 3-4 pound wing loading was considered impractically light for handling. An example of a SA-8 Skeeto was donated to the Claremont, California Air Museum in 1958, [2] it is now in the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. [3]

Specifications (Stits SA-8A Skeeto)

Data from Sport Aviation

General characteristics

Performance

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References

  1. Sport Aviation. March 1958.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. Sport Aviation. April 1958.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. "Stits Skeeto SA-8" . Retrieved 17 April 2011.