Backyard
Flyer HP, Backyard Flyer HP experimental lightsport aircraft, Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News
newsmagazine.
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Light Sport Aircraft Pilot is a directory of aircraft that generally fit
into what are described as ultralight aircraft, advanced ultralight
aircraft,
light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, experimental
aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt
aircraft in the United States and Canada. These include
weight shift aircraft, more commonly known as trikes,
powered parachutes, and powered para-gliders.
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Backyard Flyer HP experimental
lightsport, amateur built aircraft.
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Over the past 30 years I have
had the opportunity to interview a great many aircraft
designers, builders and manufacturers.
Two interviews that have stood out over that period of time
are one I did with late Holmer Kolb and the other with Gene
and Larry Smith. The reason they stand out is that these
three gentleman were "woven from the same cloth."
Like Holmer, the father and
son combination of Gene and Larry Smith are good honest
folk, with a farming background.
Now anyone who is into farming knows that in order to be
successful you need to be very "inventive!" Take my word for
it you will be hard pressed to find two individuals more
inventive than Gene and Larry.
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Over the years Gene has
designed, built and flown a number of aircraft. During the
days of the "ultralight trainer" he has demonstrated a number
of his two place designs at Airventure. All of his designs
have used a re-drive that he designed, generally coupled to
a modified Volkswagen engine that he developed.
He is also responsible for the introduction of the
Valley Engineering "Big Twin" four stroke aircraft engine
conversion, which won the Custom Power Plant Award at
Airventure. At just over 100 lbs this twin cylinder unit
produces 40 HP at 3600 rpm and is capable of spinning a 70 x
40 inch propeller!
With the expiration of the two place training exemption in
the U.S. Gene turned his attention back to ultralights.
Several years ago he designed and Larry built the Backyard
Flyer Swing wing. This part 103 legal ultralight is powered
by the "Big Twin" and features a "swing wing". Which means
the wing basically pivots or swings at the wing fuselage
attachment points, coming to rest on the tail of the plane
and hanging out over the front of the engine.
This swinging takes minutes
to accomplish and allows the plane to be stored in a 26 foot
trailer, or single car garage.
This year Gene was flying
the Backyard Flyer UL, while Larry had on display his
recently completed Backyard Flyer HP. The HP model uses the
same welded aluminum style fuselage, but features a 4 foot
longer wing, 16 inch longer fuselage and is powered by a
Valley Engineering 115 HP Volkswagen engine conversion using
Gene's reduction drive unit. Larry plans on bring the
horsepower up by adding a little "nitrus to it."
The complete plane weighs
in at 450 lbs, and according to Larry will have a near
vertical rate of climb when he finishes with it.
Initially Larry's idea was
to build the plane just for himself, and so for the past
couple of years he has been "tooling on it" as he could find
time. In fact he had to spend a little extra time on it when
his old Tomcat was racing through the shop chasing a
squirrel, which proceeded to punch a hole in his tail when
it jumped through it.
But interest at Airventure
is making him rethink that decision, and he is expecting to
start offering the Backyard Flyer HP in the experimental
category. In fact a number of hang gliding schools have
approached him about producing the plane as a hang glider
tug. The HP once swung will fit into a 30 ft box trailer.
For more information:
Valley Engineering LLC
15685 Co. Rd. 7100
Rolla, MO. 65401
573-364-6311
www.culverprops.com |
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Backyard Flyer HP -
experimental amateur built lightsport aircraft |
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Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News Web Magazine.
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