Merlin Lite Part 103 Legal All Metal Ultralight Aircraft Affordable Airplane
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- čas přidán 11. 07. 2024
- Merlin Lite Part 103 Legal All Metal Ultralight Aircraft Affordable Airplane hangar tour with Chip Erwin at the South Lakeland Airport
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I really love this Merlin Lite aircraft and the standard Merlin, you can never go wrong with the "build them strong and build them lite" philosophy! Chip Erwin is a genius and a national treasure.
I think this is the coolest looking ultralight. I'm amazed they can get the weight to fit under the part 103 limit, especially with the aluminum panels. I can't get a license so maybe can one day pickup one of these.
I have a glider license and I am between the 103 model and the experimental glider. Can't make up my mind. Have to do a better analysis of the pros and cons.
Im a huge 2a guy so i understand the whole letter of the law mentality and what can be accomplished from looking at the "rules" this guy is awesome, i love his mentality!
Looking great Chip. Keep heading down that Part 103 path. I agree, Ultralight Part 103 are making a return. Wingtips look great. Love the tail dragger. Just a great looking aircraft. Awesome all metal. Amazing fuel economy. Polini makes a heck of an engine. Surprised at the G loading, super nice numbers. Great job. Really appreciate you getting more info out on CZcams interviews.
I love this design. Cantilever wings are very rare and very desirable -- for photography or simply enjoying the view. Many years ago I had a 2-place tube and fabric open-cockpit airplane. It was fun, but had a king post and struts and cables everywhere. High drag, not esthetically pleasing and the massive wing area made it sensitive to gusts. This is designed like a real airplane.
Love the cool way it's built. Kinda...high tech. Would be great fun to build
If this truly were a self built kit. The price would be astounding, where they'd sell thousands. Maybe they'll go that path one day soon. When it happens I'll buy one...amazing design, very smart designer, very informative, a true genius...
Yes!!!! thank you soo much for this 103
This looks like a very sweet kit plane. Nicely done rivet holes makes a huge difference, when assembling a kit plane, as re-drilling/de-burring takes a lot of time and effort. Nice attention to detail.
Love when CNC plans come together. Great info👍🏻🤠⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great stuff. This is one nice Ultralight.
Very cool. I dig it!
Great stuff! As usual! Thanks for posting and sharing big guy.😀😀😀😀😀😀😎
Thanks! Good to see you here! Thanks for stopping by!
Very cool!, thank you I was having with-drawl symptoms in between videos.
I've been thinking about building a kit plane for some time, and I like this one. However, since I'm a already a pilot, I'd be fine with exceeding the Part 103 limitations by adding the second fuel tank and, if possible, a larger engine.
The regular Merlin would be what you're looking for then.
I like Chip's design ideas. And it looks nice.
Nice very nice plans
another good video!!! thank you Brian!
You... are VERY welcome! Thank You for stopping by!
This plane look so simple and beautiful
Cool.
Been on the fence about getting an ultralight, after seeing this.. I'm sold
Very nice, leave a tailwheel version for off runway. A carbon fiber door and cowling could likely be built pretty easily that would still leave room for part 103 limits. I think maybe a half cowling that starts behind the engine, outlines but doesn't cover the cooler with aggressive gill plate openings in back for airflow behind the cooler that will cover up and remove drag from the tubing.
I like it.
I Love the tail dragger.
I want! Very good looking!
A mini luscombe! I love it. Wonder how big of an engine I could stick on. Obviously wouldn’t be ultralight anymore. But imagine what 150 horse on there could do.
Interesting. I look forward to following this aircraft. Panel looks a little different than Scrappy’s. Thanks for the video Bryan.👍🏽👍🏽
Thank You! This plane does look a bit like a Mini-Draco doesn't it? He should paint it RED! :-)
@@ExperimentalAircraftChannel - it has that mini-Wilga look to it. I wonder if the EOS Quattro 4-stroke engine could be adapted for this thing? Or what about the Boxer 220s engine? Those Fowler flaps look really grand. I wonder if further enhancements could be added, like leading-edge slats, to further lower the stall speed?
great pick! mini Wilga! I'm sure you have a list of 103 videos going but if these aren't on there let me add em! here is my top list off the top of my head in no particular order
Legal Eagle - Designed by Leonard Milholland - good youtuber, lee Homan
Hummel Ultra Cruiser - also Scott Casler engines - great youtuber Dennis Brooks
Badlands Aircraft - (basically a kitfox 103) i really wanna see a lot more on this one!
Team Mini-Max - 1100R/1030
Solid list, and love how he conducts his informational interviews
We need more info on the badlands!!!
and all the kolbs
Zanzottera (Itlay) Designed the MZ34, which was Sold to Compact Radial (Canada) MZ34, who then Sold it to Fiate Aviation in China, MZ34. Earlier versions of the MZ34 Zanzottera were produced making 26hp@6250rpm or ---> 38hp@6450rpm
This is the mini wilga! :)
I really like this aircraft. Want to see the performance numbers once they get the testing done.
IM IN LOVE
Gonna have to raid the couch cushions.
Planning for one
Damn! The motor mount is as long as the plane! !LMAO! Is there a cover for that????
mini wilga!
Nice engineering and good looking. What dos it take to remove wing for seasonal storage transport. ??
No license is required for any plane to fly, assuming you exceed the stall speed in taxi and pull back on the stick
mini wilga
I wish Part103 didn't have that upper speed limit. I'd be really curious to see how fast they could get with a carbon fiber airframe and as much power as you can stuff in keeping in the weight limit.
rudder cables should by kevlar or similar fabric string. Save a bit of weight.
I get wanting to add a nosewheel, but please don't ditch the tailwheel. Prop clearance and soft field performance matters a lot to many.
No license required. No license required to jump out a third story window either.
I've been an ambassador for flying my entire adult life. There is no shortcut. Having said that, I wouldn't hesitate to fly this thing, given the chance. It's beautiful. We're still hurting for a four cycle powerplant for very light airplanes.
There is an avenue for development. The half Volkswagen as used in some airplanes like the Hummel Bird is a great effort.
The two strokes are developing very good usable power. No problem there. But who's going to invent and produce the next forty horse reliable four stroke engine that is affordable. That's the key for this market. Rotax has done well, where's the competition geared to very light airplanes. The existing 65 continental has been phenomenal in the growth of light airplanes. I include Lycoming of course.
Who's gonna do it?
This is very interesting, thanks for sharing
4 stoke are coming to 103 finally
Looks like a mini Wilga.
Rumors from the PPG community are that the 303 has some reliability concerns that are causing builders to consider other 35+ HP options. I sure wish there was a 45HP 4 stroke with an install weight we could live with.
Hey Bubba I'm really been looking in to flying along I have family and I have experience I was wondering when buying one is it like a dirtb8ke or four wheeler
This is probably the most full sized looking 103 I've seen yet. Nice looking plane! Two questions come to mind; I never see this plane with an engine cowl installed. Does it have one? Also, why not use flush rivets? Seems like it would reduce drag and allow for a higher cruise and top speed...
At the time, it seems he was still figuring out how to have the door and the cowl and still be within FAR Part 103 regs. Production Merlin Lites have both, from what I can tell.
You don't want to raise the top speed on a 103 compliant ultralight, since they have a legal top speed limitation of 55 knots (about 62-63 mph on the ground).
it will be a few years yet but its between this and the Hummel Ultracruiser for me. I like the heighwing backcountry style aircraft more because I want to do some camping and outfield landings. However, the Hummel's 1/2vw engine is extremely good and the efficiency is fist class. I will eventually register the aircraft and drop the 103 requirements so how it performs after that is important to me. the Hummel can cruse at 100mph with 60mpg fuel burn so that's its main draw. Im curious how this CAN perform. I dont expect it to beat that but at the same time im not landing the Hummel in a field on a mountain. just trade offs.
Do they have a 4 stroke engine for the Merlin lite? I don't have anything against 2 strokes by them self's I just don't want to have to mix the fuel and oil.
Cool little airplane, all aluminum piques my interest.
I know the faa is slower than molasses in January, ha! but wasn't there some talk about loosening up some regulations for part 103 like increasing the minimum weight a little? Then it could have a cowling and a door.
But maybe it was light sport. Thanks Bryan
By Dan Johnson from Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer did a reveiw last year on the proposed changes the faa was considering. I'll have to go back and review that again.
Why is all aluminum better? Does that make it seem all-weather? I wonder how tough it is compared to the Air Bike?
@@manofsan sure, fabric airplanes are kept in a hanger as much as possible. Well, its better for any aircraft no matter what they are made from. I mean sure, modern synthetic fabric systems are longer lasting than the old cotton fabrics were, but still have a somewhat limited lifespan especially if they sit outside. Generally speaking aluminum is tougher, it's takes ultraviolet light & weather better. It is a little heavier however.
@@manofsan Airbikes are fabric covered.
@@429thunderjet2 - fabric wings are more easily stowable as well. I wonder whether Merlin Lite has to be hangared, or can its wing be detached or folded for home storage and easy towing?
looks great, not sure if i would want to just fly it, you need to know a bunch of things, wind(s) weather, near power lines? near traffic? even how to fly it!! any training should help somewhat.
It has that mini-Wilga look to it. I wonder if the EOS Quattro 4-stroke engine could be adapted for this thing? Or what about the Boxer 220s engine? Those Fowler flaps look really grand. I wonder if further enhancements could be added, like leading-edge slats, to further lower the stall speed?
Too big & heavy, & too much at the nose, unfortunately. The engine on this is an efficient, liquid cooled dirt bike engine, basically. Very lightweight, & even at 36hp, thats pretty good for a 303cc engine
@@jett-rampartflyer2852 - I recently came across this video from SCOUT Aviation, and I think their idea might be useful for various small aircraft, including Part 103 aircraft like Merlin Lite - czcams.com/video/_S45iiXN2XM/video.html
What do you think?
Changing it to a T tail is going to ruin the horizontal in the prop stream on the tail dragger for STOL
I like what you did. Too bad part 103 doesn't allow gas turbines. The RC turbines are very light (often < than 5 lbs and 100 lbs of thrust) and would allow weight for carrying fuel. Even the small turbines are very thirsty.
That... would be awesome! I would love to see a micro Turbo Prop option for something like this! Thanks for chiming in here today!
@@ExperimentalAircraftChannel Let's build it, fly it and ask forgiveness later. The RC turbo props, measured in kw, translates to almost 40 hp in at least one model. Draw backs are:
1. Requires mixture like a 2 stroke due to no oiling system
2. TBO is 25 hours $300-$500, but it's possible to keep 2 or 3 on hand with a simple plug and play install.
Alas 103s are limited to 5 gallons fuel capacity. There are some work arounds via a header tank, bigger i.d. fuel lines, coiled lines, etc. Know a few flying with 9+ gallon capacities.
Top speed? Well that's the wrong question. The right question to ask is what's the VNE?
gas turbines are not prohibited under 103
@@keepyourbilsteinsnope, no "legal" work arounds. 5 gallon >capacity< total is the limit you can fly with and that includes unattached gas cans. you can't have a 6 gallon tank but only put 5 gallons in it or have a 5 gallon tank and a hand carry an additional fuel can or have a header tank. as a side note, it is extremely rare to see a truly legal ultralight.
Reminds me of luscumb...
I had a Polini engine on my paramotor. Thor 200 (the one in the video is the Thor 250): 29 HP, air cooled, 18 kg (39 lb) weight and about 75 kg (165 lb) of thrust. All I can say is bad things about these crap engines.
The carburation is a nightmare and finding spare parts and documentation was always a concern. I spent way more hours in the workshop than flying. After the 4th engine out (in 25 hours) and a blown piston I got rid of it.
Stay away from them and look for something more reliable.
Very little information provided during the conversation
All tha Technology with the flight system controls gotta be a heavy price.
Are you able to put a cover over the engine?
Maximum speed for part 103 is 62 mph KTAS during level flight at maximum continuous power of the engine published by the manufacturer.
BTW. This bird is $31k. Crazy.
The good thing is you can get this. Then work on getting your license while being able to fly on your own time. Then you can customize it. Add an extra tank and swap the motor. Obviously nothing to powerful because of the stress but yeah.
Can buy a 2 seat certified plane for 31k but if you can only fly 103 this is the sweetest little bird I have seen.
Mini Draco
Very cute, looks like it would be a ton o' fun. Or maybe just a few pounds of fun?
Hah! I see what you did there. I wish it came as a PLAN BUILT as well. But... it will only be available as the Quick Build or RTF. Thanks for saying hello!
Sat in it at osh...I fit...and I am 6 foot 6.
How do you get into this type of flying? I would love too
If the upper window was operable / removable I could fit my bicycle into it from the top. That would be a huge advantage and selling point for me.
Dude that would be hilarious. I dont know why. Just is 🤣
Eh, just strap that baby to the tail with some rubber bungie cords. Problem solved!
hello so interested
I think y’all topped the 103 light aircraft plane
We need to see the just 103 and ruckus
Agreed! I have been in touch with Troy Woodland about this. Very soon! ;-)
@@ExperimentalAircraftChannel if you get the inside info on Just 103 then you are a king my friend 😂 awesome work you are putting in!
Why is it impossible to give a range of prices for a finished plane?
I would need ac in this not heat. Arizona has plenty of heat haha.
$35,000 kinda completely ruins it for most who are after an ultralight to fulfill their lifelong dreams when you can pretty much buy a used non ultralight for that. For most of us wanting to do this $5,000 is a mint.
thats 35k in biden dollars which is 17500 in old dollars
do you need a sports pilot ultralight license? i saw some videos saying you do and am not sure, i am to young to get any form of license so thats why i am asking.
there is no such thing as a sport pilot ultralight license
Why the symmetrical airfoil?
remove wings for transport easy or ?
Kinda looks like a mini wilga
The ultra light Merlin series was what really caught my eye.
I have not been involved in aviation for a long time but last I heard about these sport planes is that even though they do not require a license, they may still require a medical. I last heard that if you once had a medical but then lost it, then you were NOT allowed to fly one. However, if you never had a medical before, then you ARE good to fly. Can someone please comment who is confident they are up to speed with todays regulations?
I would go electric or rotax ...leaning electric. Long time overhaul mechanics rave the Rotax 4 strokes. These old timers of lycoming / continental say Rotax is light years ahead with Zero wear at 2000hr TBO INSPECS. Hell my 3cyl 1000cc Triumph motorcycle engine does 120hp and weighs 180lbs!
electric, nice until the fire that cant be put out even on the ground
Would carbon grafite improve the gas mileage?
Get this thing up to 100mph Cruise instead of 75mph and put auto Pilot in there and nav and landing lights and this is a cross country aircraft SEND!
What’s the cost of tha tha ultra light
Did I understand this right? The only way to have this qualify as an ultralight is to not have it painted, no doors, and no engine cover?
most likely yes
An all metal ultralight! Am I wrong or is this unique?
Hummel Ultracruiser is an all metal 103. Helped build one and slowly putting together another for myself.
Cool plane, feel bad for the reporter trying for like 5 minutes to get him to just say to price or just give a straight answer to any question
Two seater with lots of room in the back, I don’t know why he is so worried about the weight, looks like man and machine working together most efficiently.
Regulations for an ultralite are based on weight and fuel amount., you want 2 seats and more power, you'll need to get a medical and a licence.That's why weight maters.
Would a flat belly improve gas mileage?
Any merlin lite owners out there? How do you like them, and what's the pros and cons?
How do you get checked out in it?
best way is to go to the USUA
what would happen if you ran into a stall spin scenario
Recover the way you’ve been trained.
Neet aircraft
looked at the web page, listen to the video, I didn't here anything about max load/pilot weight. A very nice plane, but a bit spendy for a 103 aircraft.
Gross Weight 715 lbs
@@vg23air Not really an ultra lite then is it?
@@Auger3504 yep, thats the GROSS weight, not the empty weight, payload is fuel person etc 715 minus 254. this plane has an exceptional load carrying capability
It needs slats
Who is the first one to turn this into a mini Draco?
What, like put bigger tyres, a mini RC turbine and then crash on take off in a cross wind.
im just Curious why nobody else owns this airplane I want it I'm new to the aviation world and this is pretty cheap I'm just curious why nobody owns one and has any kind of videos on it on CZcams
A prototype, more to come.
I don't know why but this guy reminds me of Ryan stiles
No license to fly, no license to die! Get training before you fall out of the sky. A smaller aircraft doesn't mean a smaller fall.
Umm...cowl?
The cowl with the door on is over 103 limits. You have to choose either the door or the cowl based on Erwin’s earlier videos. Just saying
When I arrived he had just finished hanging the engine after making an internal adjustment. And at the end of my visit installed the prop. So the cowl was off... and I believe the one he had was only for prototyping and not the production piece. Their will be a cowling and another engine option. The V-Twin he mentions should be available to see in person at the 2021 Sun-N-Fun Show and I will see about trying to capture that running. Thank you for taking the time to watch today!
@@ExperimentalAircraftChannel I didn't intend to troll, and I've never flown a thing. I just think improved aesthetics, especially that of a "finished product" are important from a marketing standpoint. Right now it's uncoated aluminum, so why not have pictures available with cowling installed and use silver paint for the door and other composite pieces? Presentation is important, but even without it this aircraft has my attention, and cause for piloting prospects. Pretty cool bird.
Why punish us with midroll adds,
I never let any of them run if I can catch them,
I doubt anyone else does either, put two adds up front
and two at the end, I will let them run, and I encourage
others to do the same.
Most of us multi task, a midroll add can run from
3 or 4 mins to an hour plus, usually louder than
the video itself, with subject matter we usually don't care
about, when they come on we have to stop, run
to the pc ,and shut it down.
Midroll adds drive viewers to add free subscriptions
and add free browsers, which diverts / eliminates
the revenue stream away from content providers /
channel owners.