Quicksilver GT500

Last updated

Quicksilver GT500
Quicksilver GT-500 E017UF.JPG
GT500
Role Kit aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Quicksilver Manufacturing
DesignerDavid Cronk
Introduction1990
StatusIn production
Produced1990-present
Number built450 (GT500 2011)

The Quicksilver GT500 is a family of American strut-braced, high-wing, pusher configuration, tricycle gear aircraft built by Quicksilver Aeronautics of Temecula, California. The aircraft is available as a kit for amateur construction or as a completed ready-to-fly aircraft. [1] [2]

Contents

Design and development

The GT500 was developed specifically for the Sportplane class of the primary aircraft category (Part 21.24 of the Federal Aviation Regulations) and, on 26 July 1994, became the first aircraft certified in that category. Reviewer Noel Bertrand wrote, "[It] may sound like a very dry achievement, but actually speaks volumes for its design integrity. Not surprisingly its flight behaviour is excellent." [3] [4] [5] [6]

The aircraft's nomenclature is unclear as the manufacturer refers to it variously as the GT500, GT 500 and the GT-500. The FAA certification officially calls it the GT500. [3] [4] [7]

The GT500 is constructed from aluminium tubing, which is bolted together. The aircraft is covered in pre-sewn Dacron envelopes, with the forward fuselage made from fiberglass. The wing features half-span ailerons and half-span flaps. The GT500 has two seats in tandem, with dual controls featuring control columns with yokes. [3] [8] [1] A 1991 upgrade included optional doors that are zippered into place adding 10 kn (19 km/h) of cruise speed, steel landing gear legs with dual brakes and an electric starter. [9]

Variants

GT400
Single-seat version equipped with a 40 horsepower (30 kW) Rotax 447 two-stroke or 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 two-stroke engine. Standard empty weight is 276 pounds (125 kg) and gross weight is 570 pounds (259 kg). Originally marketed as the GT. Estimated construction time from the kit is 70 hours and 530 had been completed and flown by 2011. [10] [8] [5] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [1] [17]
GT500
Two-seats-in-tandem version powered by a 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-stroke or a 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL four-stroke. The now out-of-production 74 hp (55 kW) Rotax 618 two-stroke was a previously available option. Other options include floats, a ballistic parachute system and crop dusting system. Estimated construction time from the kit is 185 hours and 450 had been completed and flown by 2011. The GT500 is certified in the US primary aircraft category, but only when equipped with the Rotax 582 powerplant. [10] [3] [7] [8] [5] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [1] [6]

Specifications (GT500)

Data fromManufacturer [7] and Type Certificate [6]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related Research Articles

The Advanced Aviation Explorer is a two-seat ultralight marketed in kit form, for amateur construction. It is a high-wing taildragger aircraft of pusher configuration with tandem seating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chotia Weedhopper</span> American ultralight airplane

The Weedhopper is an American high-wing, tractor configuration, tricycle gear, two-axis control ultralight aircraft originally developed by John Chotia during the height of the 1970s ultralight boom and introduced in 1977. When it was in production the aircraft was sold as a kit for amateur construction and could be assembled in 25-30 man-hours.

The Fisher FP-505 Skeeter is a Canadian single-seat, conventional landing gear, single-engined parasol-wing monoplane 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 Youngster is a Canadian single-seat, conventional landing gear, single-engined, biplane kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders. The aircraft was inspired by the German Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeister aerobatic aircraft of the 1930s.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorrell Hiperlight</span> American ultralight biplane

The Sorrell Hiperlight is a family of single and two seat, negative stagger biplanes, designed for amateur construction.

The Loehle Sport Parasol is an American single-seat, parasol winged, single engine, ultralight aircraft produced in kit form by Loehle Aircraft for amateur construction. The aircraft meets the requirements of the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles regulations.

The Rocky Mountain Wings Ridge Runner is a family of American high wing, strut-braced, single engine, conventional landing gear aircraft that were designed by Stace Schrader and were produced by Rocky Mountain Wings of Nampa, Idaho for amateur construction from 2000 to 2018.

The Flying K Sky Raider is a family of American, high wing, strut-braced, single engine, conventional landing gear ultralight aircraft that was designed by Ken Schrader and produced by Flying K Enterprises and later Sky Raider LLC of Caldwell, Idaho for amateur construction.

The Loehle SPAD XIII is an American single-seat ultralight aircraft scale replica of the First World War SPAD XIII fighter produced in kit form by Loehle Aircraft for amateur construction.

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

The Carlson Sparrow is a family of American, high wing, strut-braced, single engine, ultralight aircraft that was designed by Ernst W. Carlson and produced by Carlson Aircraft of East Palestine, Ohio and later Skyline Technologies of Salem, Ohio for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Circle Air T-Bird</span> Type of aircraft

The Golden Circle Air T-Bird is a family of high-wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration ultralight aircraft that was produced by Teratorn Aircraft of Clear Lake, Iowa from 1983 to 1989 and then Golden Circle Air of De Soto, Iowa from 1989 until the mid-2000s. In 2011 the aircraft were back in production by Indy Aircraft. The aircraft is produced as a kit for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earthstar Thunder Gull</span> Type of aircraft

The Earthstar Thunder Gull is a family of cantilever high-wing, tricycle gear ultralight aircraft, manufactured by Earthstar Aircraft of Santa Margarita, California as a kit for amateur construction or as a completed aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan Tornado</span> American kit aircraft

The Titan Tornado is large family of cantilever high-wing, pusher configuration, tricycle gear-equipped kit aircraft manufactured by Titan Aircraft of Austinburg, Ohio, for amateur construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly</span> Type of aircraft

The Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly is an Australian-American two-seats-in-tandem, high-wing, strut-braced, open cockpit, conventional landing gear-equipped ultralight aircraft. The aircraft has been in production since 1990 and was designed as a special-purpose tug for hang gliders and ultralight sailplanes. It is available as a complete aircraft or as a kit for amateur construction. The aircraft has been variously produced by Moyes Microlights, Bailey-Moyes Microlights and currently LiteFlite of Botany, New South Wales, all different iterations of the same company.

The US Light Aircraft Hornet is an American two-seats-in-tandem, pusher configuration, tricycle gear, strut-braced high wing ultralight aircraft, that was produced US Light Aircraft Corporation of Ramona, California between 1994 and circa 2008 in kit form for amateur construction. It was also available as a factory-completed light-sport aircraft.

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

The SlipStream Genesis is a family of American, strut-braced, high wing, pusher configuration, tricycle gear aircraft, produced in kit form, for amateur construction. Designed by Chuck Hamilton, the series were originally produced by Innovation Engineering of Davenport, Iowa and more recently by SlipStream International of Wautoma, Wisconsin.

The Arnet Pereyra Sabre II is an American, two-seats in side-by-side configuration, conventional landing gear-equipped, strut-braced, high-wing ultralight trainer that was produced by Arnet Pereyra Inc of Rockledge, Florida in kit form for amateur construction.

<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">Raj Hamsa X-Air</span> Type of aircraft

The Raj Hamsa X-Air is an Indian, two-seat, high-wing, tricycle gear, tractor configuration, ultralight aircraft produced by Raj Hamsa Ultralights of Bangalore, Karnataka in kit form, for amateur construction.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 70. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ↑ Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 75. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN   1368-485X
  3. 1 2 3 4 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-95. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN   0-9680628-1-4
  4. 1 2 Quicksilver Manufacturing (n.d.). "Aircraft" . Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 155. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  6. 1 2 3 Federal Aviation Administration (June 1995). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. TA1CH" (PDF). Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 Quicksilver Manufacturing (n.d.). "GT500" . Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 228. BAI Communications. ISBN   0-9636409-4-1
  9. ↑ Jim Thompson (April 1991). "Quicksilver updates". Air Progress.
  10. 1 2 Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 67. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  11. 1 2 Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 64. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  12. 1 2 Downey, Julia: 2001 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 69. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  13. 1 2 Downey, Julia: 2002 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, pages 61 and 85. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  14. 1 2 Newby-Gonzalez, Tori: 2004 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 12, December 2003, page 74. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  15. 1 2 Downey, Julia: 2005 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 75. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  16. 1 2 Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 67. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  17. ↑ Quicksilver Manufacturing (n.d.). "GT 400" . Retrieved February 9, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.