Preceptor Aircraft Ultra Pup
amateur built aircraft, Preceptor Aircraft Ultra Pup experimental aircraft, Preceptor Aircraft Ultra Pup experimental light sport aircraft (ELSA), Lightsport Aircraft Pilot News
newsmagazine.
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Lightsport
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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Preceptor Aircraft Ultra Pup ultralight, experimental
lightsport, amateur built aircraft.
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Manufacturer
Preceptor Aircraft
4250 US Highway 64/74A
Rutherfordton, North Carolina 28139
www.preceptoraircraft.com
Writing about
this one brings a big smile to our faces; we had the
opportunity to fly the Ultra-Pup for a US Aviator
flight report in 1990 and several other times since then. We
found plenty to like about the high-wing, 60 to 80-hp
Ultra-Pup.
As a matter of fact, we liked the bird so much that we
bought one (yes... at the full retail price). A stretched,
tweaked, refined version of the Preceptor Repli-Cubs, this
bird flew even better than the real J-3 Cub it is so
obviously modeled after. |
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A high-wing, strut-braced
taildragger with conventional gear, the Ultra-Pup has a
flaps and folding-wing mechanism that can be used in less
than 10 minutes. It has a steel-tube fuselage, all-aluminum
wings, and is covered with aircraft-grade fabric and paint.
The lovely little Ultra-Pup stands 5.5' high, has a cabin
width of nearly 25" (it is a tandem two-seater), spans
30.5', and 17.3' long.
The wing has 122 sq ft of wing area and with the help of
some good sized flaps, the Ultra-Pup can stall as low as 35
mph. Though not aerobatic, the wing is stressed to +6.3 and
-3 G. The cabin also offers 36" of headroom and 70" of
length. A 14-gal tank should be good for up 4.5 hours at the
90-mph cruise speed?although if you firewall this baby,
you'll probably see 110 mph in a hurry (if not more... I
did).
The Ultra-Pup flies beautifully, with
excellent pitch and roll response and modestly positive
static and dynamic stability profiles, which include the
ability to pick up a wingtip obediently with rudder
persuasion only. The stall is well buffet quite symmetrical,
and though the bird spin if forced, the initial autorotation
is reluctant and the recovery quite simple: relax pitch or
roll and the bird will not be able to sustain a spin. Kick
opposite rudder and hard negative pitch and you'll out
nearly instantaneously.
Haul back to best climb speed and watch this thing do as much as 1500 fpm. It is a home sick
angle and the Preceptor bunch is one of the few that doesn't
fib a mite about their takeoff and landing specs. It really uses
about 300' for both and I've done better. Honest. Service
ceiling is 17,000'.
The Preceptor Gold engine is a
highly-modified VW engine, engineered by Total Engine
Concepts, and can allow the Ultra-Pup to climb like the
proverbial bat, with excellent fuel economy.
Kit options are numerous and include an alternator package, a cabin heat
system, floats, and 60-to 80-hp engines. Build time is
estimated at between 450 and 500 hours, and no special tools are
required. A number of special builder assistance programs
are available, including a hands-on, two-week, factory
building program.
The Ultra-Pup is available as a complete kit.
There no'
also some good alternative purchase plans that deserve your
attention, whereby you can buy your bird in pieces as your
budget permits. Separate plans are also available.
ZOOM REPORT: This is easily one of our favorite
two-place Affordable Flyers. As a matter of fact, we own
one. The Ultra-Pup, equipped with the 60-hp, TEC/Preceptor
Gold four-stroke engine makes for a dynamic combo, under
virtually any circumstance. Mimicking the ageless Cub, the
Ultra-Pup actually outperforms its look-alike! This small
company has also made great strides in the last few years,
and shows every sign of being one of the true survivors.
Best of all, customer service reports are quite positive.
Check this critter out, it's a winner!
Design/Engineering: B.
Ground Handling: A-. Excellent ground manners.
Flight Characteristics: A. Some of the best flying
around.
Company Profile: B+. Small company, big
improvements.
Kit/Plans: B. Plans being upgraded at
the present time.
Bang for the Buck: A-.
Final Grade: A-. Great bird! Highly recommended. |
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Preceptor Aircraft Ultra Pup ultralight -
experimental lightsport aircraft |
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