| Back in 1983 the FAA came to Sun N Fun with a set
of scales with the intention of weighing ultralights to make sure
they were legal. It was interesting to watch as manufacturers did
some very creative things to fit into the 254 lbs. weight limit.
Craft normally equipped with twin cylinder engines
were now powered by a single cylinder engine. Recoil starters were
removed, props went from 64 inches down to 52 inches, parachute
canisters were found to be empty, foam was removed from seats,
batons removed from wings. One report even had an engine installed
which had no pistons, wrist pins, magneto, or electrical system.
While all this "creative thinking" was happening
the people at CGS Hawk were busy flying their planes. CGS had
weighed their planes before coming to Sun N Fun. They met the weight
limit of 254 lbs! Doing it with a completely enclosed craft, with
three axis controls a twin cylinder engine, in both tail dragger and
tri-cycle gear configuration - without using the parachute
allowance.
This year at Sun N Fun CGS Hawk AGAIN showed up
with a U.S. legal part 103 ultralight. Not because of a threat of
FAA enforcement but because of public demand! According to Chuck
Slusarczyk owner of CGS Aviation and designer of the Hawk, the
demand for legal single place ultralights has gone UP since the
introduction of Sport Pilot.
According to Chuck, "Many pilots don't want
anything to do with Sport Pilot, they want to get back to the pure
fun feeling of flying, WITHOUT all the rules and regulations." To
meet this demand CGS redesigned their single place ultralight to
again fit part 103.
"The weight could have easily been made by just
switching to a single cylinder engine, but the Hawk is designed for
the average pilot of 225 lbs. or over. Using a twin cylinder 40 hp
power engine makes a safer craft with better performance for these
pilots."
Over the years for ease of inventory and
production CGS has been using tubing designed for their two place
craft in the single place. By resizing this tubing back to single
place specifications the CGS Hawk once again meets the 254 lbs.
weight limit without sacrificing, any safety or performance.
CGS is offering the plane in kit form and it
should take between 150 and 300 hours to complete.
For more information contact:
CGS Aviation
P.O. Box 470635 Broadview Heights,
OH 44147
Phone: (440)-564-1214 Fax: (440)-564-1211 |
