Description
Zipster ultralight bi-plane, Raceair Designs. The Zipster Ultralight Biplane packs a lot of performance in a small package.
When equipped with the Hirth F 33 or Compact Radial Engines MZ34 engine the Zipster is a legal part 103 ultralight in the U.S., weighing in at 249 lbs complete with wheel pants.
If you are looking for higher performance in the experimental category, the Zipster is capable of handling the Rotax 503 or equivalent Hirth, Compact Radial Engines, 1/2 VW, 1/3 Corvair and “Big Twin” engines.
The Zipster was originally designed by Ed Fisher of Raceair Designs over 22 years ago and in 2004 and received “Ultralight Grand Champion” honours at the 2004 Oshkosh Air show!
The fuselage and tail section are 4130 chromoly steel tubing. The wings are standard tube and ladder construction with a 2 1/4 inch front spar and 1 3/4 rear spar 6061T6 Aluminum Tubes.
When up and flying as an ultralight using the Hirth F 33 engine, the builder can expect their craft to be airborne in about 200 feet, climb out at around 400 feet per minute and cruise along all day at 55 to 60 mph at 5800 rpm burning approximately 2 gallons of fuel per hour.
Stall speed comes in at around 26 mph, with plenty of warning prior to it getting to stall. The cockpit easily accommodates pilots 6′ 2″ tall and 220lbs.
Zipster ultralight specifications:
Empty weight: 249 lbs (113 kg)
MTOW: 550 lbs (249 kg)
Stall speed: 23 kts (26 mph) (43 kph)
Cruise speed: 55 kts (63 mph) (102 kph)
VNE: 78 kts (90 mph) (144 kph)
Climb: 450 ft/min (2.3 m/s)
Take-off distance: 600 ft (183 m)
Landing distance: 600 ft (183 m)
Engine: 277 thru 503, MZ34 thru 201, F-33, Big Twin
Fuel consumption: 3 GPH (11.4 LPH)
Wing Area: 112 sq/ft
Length: 16′ 3″
Span: 18′ 6″
Height: 5′
Cockpit: 24″ wide
