He finished his project in July of 1980. All parts are pre-cut, pre-drilled, and designed to make construction easy and streamlined for new and experienced builders. Though the Bird must be licensed Experimental, and though it has to be N-numbered and flown with an FAA certificate, the older model only weighs 300 pounds empty. "To come away with no more than what he had, it's a miracle.". Climb; Glide; Sink; Cruise/stall/max speeds; Endurance; Range; Maneuverability. How, I did not know at the time. Kits and plans for the UltraCruiser are available from: Hummel Aviation 16288 County Rd D Bryan, OH 43506 Telephone: 419-636-6700 Email: info@flyhummel.com Website: www.flyhummel.com. Plans are available for all three models, as well as sub-kits and full kits for the Ultracruiser and H5. Hand-start, run on test-stand only. ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (WFLA) - UPDATED STORY: A Tampa pilot is recovering after the plane he built by hand crashed into a Zephyrhills cow pasture. No electrics, and no canopy. I was told it burns about 2 gallons per hour, which makes it one of the most fuel-efficient engines you can install on an ultralight. by: WFLA 8 On Your Side Staff, Victoria Price. Pros The UltraCruiser makes Part 103 and so can your 4-stroke-powered ultralight. The airplane subsequently struck trees near the . Pros Four-stroke power is worth giving up systems to some pilots. Takeoff roll start is surprisingly energetic for a small 4-stroke engine. to airport manager Dwight Albritton, the plane crashed around 2:15 p.m. A new Hummel website will be up and running in January. Jacobs concludes that after flying 43 different ultralights, the UltraCruiser is one of the nicest hes flown. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FAR PART 103 COMPLIANT? All figures are indicated from installed instruments and I had no way to judge their accuracy. Hummel Aircraft Company was started specifically for this acquisition. The FAA allows for aircraft meeting certain weight, fuel, and airspeed requirements to be flown under Part 103 of the Federal, Regulations (FAR). The Hummel Ultracruiser (also variously called the Ultra Cruiser and UltraCruiser) is an American amateur-built aircraft, designed by Morry Hummel and produced by Hummel Aviation. Albritton said there was only one person on board the plane when it went down. It is a single-seat, single-engine, all-metal airplane typically powered by a 1/2 VW engine in the 32 hp-45 hp range although . NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report. Vernier throttle on test aircraft was an interesting feature. As the first few UltraCruisers neared completion, the plans were redrawn to incorporate changes and improve clarity. He flew his Mini-Max to Osh Kosh in 1988 and 1994. He blacked out. Facebook Youtube Google-plus. When youre done with the project, I believe youll love the flight characteristics of Hummels nifty little ultralight. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. After recovering from his open heart surgery a few months later, Morry flew his Corbin Jr. I once considered a Zodiac as my first kit plane. PA. Oct 23, 2009. On October 15, 2018, about 1416 eastern daylight time, a privately owned and operated experimental, amateur-built Hummel-Ultra Cruiser Plus, N245AP, collided with trees near Zephyrhills, Florida. The UltraCruiser, which flies slower, is not as quick in roll but was certainly responsive. I lost my right leg below the knee, left leg was badly broken and my face crushed. Not the least of which was my first meeting with Morry and Myra Hummel. 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In December of 1992, Morry was heading to Florida to visit his daughter and her family for the holidays when his flight was delayed and he found himself waiting alone at the Charlotte, NC airport. If you want the full canopy, shock-absorbing gear and other options, youll creep over the limits of Part 103 and must then N-number your aircraft. Hugus also reports that another UltraCruiser builder, Jack Roberts, designed a spring-loaded cartridge for the tailwheel steering arm, which damps the tailwheel response. [1][3][4], The Ultracruiser features a cantilever low-wing, a single-seat open, or optionally enclosed, cockpit that is 23.5in (60cm) wide, fixed conventional landing gear, or optionally tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Pasco Fire Rescue says no one else was on board. It's far from the first crash he's seen after years in aviation but this was the first to, quite literally, hit this close to home. No medical or license required! He and his grandson immediately rushed down to the crash site to find the pilot bloody but alive. Their noise is less whine and of lower decibels than most 2-strokes, fuel economy is substantially better, and ecological concerns favor the 4-stroke over the 2-cycle engine. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane's initial impact point was in a tree, about 50 feet above the ground, in the vicinity of 34 degrees, 27.03 minutes north latitude, 084 degrees, 55.83 minutes west longitude. While I was in the hospital for 5 months, I had time to think. 16288 County Road D Bryan, OH 43506 Phone: (419) 636-6700 Email: Sales@flyhummel.com. Jacobs patiently gave me a preflight review of the ultralight and provided an approximation of flight qualities that proved to be right on the mark. Finally, pilot Jayson Scantlen adds his thoughts. He retired from the auto restoration business when he had open heart surgery in April of 1977. At least two CA-2 models have been constructed. It was during this hospital stay that he dreamed of the UltraCruiser, Gods Gift,an all metal ultralight. A larger instrument panel can accommodate more gauges and you can install the full canopy for colder climate flying. About his experience, he writes, My UltraCruiser climbs very well.He didnt provide numbers about the climb rates as he says the panel is too small for a VSI when he prefers more important instruments.But he notes the 37-hp UltraCruiser accelerates to 75 to 80 mph at full throttle and holds that airspeed with about 3,100 rpm. I consider this a good performance for a small engine at a high starting elevation. At one point in my airborne tape recording, my notes reflect that I removed all ear protection and was surprised at the low-noise results. God had spared my life for a reason. Will deliver within 500 miles. All-aluminum airframe, formed aluminum wing ribs, small steel parts. The throttle and mixture controls were at their full power positions, and the carburetor heat control was in the full cold position. The production facilities have been movedfrom Ohio to Michigan. No word yet on what caused the plane's engine to cut off. This genuine ultralight resembles a metal form of TEAMs miniMAX, and it holds weight and speed without trouble, says the company. He flies the 37-hp version of the Half VW produced by Casler. Cons Four-strokes dont spool up as rapidly as 2-strokes, something to keep in mind if you need a quick burst of power, say on approach to landing. Witnesses reported that when the airplane took off, the engine sounds, ground roll, and departure were all normal. Then, about 300 feet above the ground, the airplane began a slow roll to the right (the airport traffic pattern was to the left), reaching about 90 degrees of bank and 60 degrees of nose-down pitch when it descended into trees. In my several trials, they always broke through, dropping the nose, but it was nothing too radical. Usable on Hummel Aircraft Company designs. The Hummelbird was designed by Morry Hummel in 1980. Kate passed away in 1989 after suffering a stroke. "Was he alive or dead? The airplane impacted a tree then the ground before coming to rest upright in a nose-low attitude. First flights were in 2000. On December 18, 2012, about 1400 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Hummel H5, N156FH, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain shortly after taking off from Tom B. David Field (CZL), Calhoun, Georgia. To put more definition on the performance of the Half VW engines that Hummel uses, I recorded a few power and speed ranges. He likes it so much that he often does a touch-and-go just so I can go around and do it all over again. Scantlen recorded touchdown at 25 mph and notes he has very little rollout at that speed. He added that folks often comment to him how impressed they are with his UltraCruisers performance. Matt has over 35 years in aviation which includes being certified to pilot in various aircraft, flight and ground school instruction, flight simulator design and build, instructing aeronautics at the University level, and of course, building ultralight and experimental aircraft. Qualities; Efficiency; Ease; Comparative values. Part 103 while canopy not in use. and also his left foot. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Optional full bubble canopy available, even tinted, though the open cabin is a delight in good weather. Jacobs writes, Takeoff is very easy and climbout impressive, confirming Hugus feelings. Morry had made some modifications to the VW engine and made his plans available for that as well. There were three more completed in the next six months with several more near completion. No one else was hurt. Friends of James Hargrove say the plane reportedly lost engine power and that the pilot suffered a broken ankle in the wreck. He located and maneuvered for a forced landing to a field, but allowed the airplane to slow too much, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. 1644 I received the following report on the pilot, "His wrist was pretty bad and also his left foot. Great mechanic and attention to detail. With the help of Bill Spring, who drew the plans for Morry, the Hummel Bird became available as a plans-built design in the summer of 1983. Matt lives in Dexter, Michigan with his wife and two children who share his excitement for flight. I'll be. Some builders will yearn for more panel space for goodies. My teeth were wired shut for 10 weeks and I was fed through a tube in my stomach. Very limited cargo area. While I was in the hospital for 5 months, I had time to think. That company is very safety conscious. The private pilot was fatally injured. The plane went down around 2:30 Monday afternoon less than five miles from Zephyrhills Municipal. He reported a loss of power when he was attempting to land. The aircraft was on its nose, partially in a tree, with one of the wings completely crumpled. Superb visibility while checking for incoming traffic. I wrote an article in my blog about it years ago: The Writings of Jon: Aviation: The Hummel Bird, Morry's Gift from God L lake_harley Well-Known Member Supporting Member Joined Jan 4, 2007 Messages 1,022 From the time I accidentally got airborne for its first flight, I couldnt wait to get back up in it. Sometimes first flights arent quite so inspiring as a pilot takes time to master the controls. Below the knee, left leg was badly broken and my face crushed it so much that he often a. Auto restoration business when he was attempting to land one of the nicest hes flown Four-stroke is. Flew his Corbin Jr space for goodies kits for the UltraCruiser makes 103... 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