The engine is a half-VW from Hummel Engines. Compared to the Rotax 582 and its 65 hp or even the Rotax 503 and its 50 horses, the Half VW with 37 hp the highest power offered by Hummels 2-cylinder powerplants sounds rather weak. When Tim Koch, a Hummel Bird owner, was given the opportunity to fly the H5, he had this to say: The controls are light and easy yet not overly sensitive. A photo taken from the rear of Matt Higgins' Ultracruiser. Vernier throttle on test aircraft was an interesting feature. He climbed to 2,000 feet msl, and while flying at that altitude with the engine rpm at 3,400, the mixture control full rich, and the auxiliary fuel pump on, the engine sputtered then experienced a total loss of powerquit . The engine on our test aircraft produced 37 hp.
"He was bruised all over but he was still coherent and able to talk to us.". He and his grandson immediately rushed down to the crash site to find the pilot bloody but alive. If you buy all the parts Hummel Aviation can sell you, youll slice 200 hours off the 600 and if you also choose their new quick-build wing, you can reduce the total to 320 to 340 hours. Taxi steering is quite precise with the tailwheel and the UltraCruisers braking was more than adequate. A photo taken from the rear of Matt Higgins' Ultracruiser. Liberty Landing International Landing is my favorite part, he says. Long flights will require extra attention to seat comfort. The design can be built straight from plans up to, and including a full kit. It only takes a minimum of 20 hours of flight time to become a certified sport pilot, and in most cases, you arent even required to get and maintain an FAA medical certificate. The detachable wings make storage easy and efficient. It just might do the same for you. cheyna bonita elliott. The overall control experience was satisfying. The airplane subsequently struck trees near the end of . "He said 'I just broke the ankle so I'm going to go to the hospital and get an x-ray.'". During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that about 10 minutes after takeoff the engine began to run rough, and lose power. hummel ultracruiser crash. Jacobs adds, Cruise speed [is] very good and stall very low. He likes the quick response and adequate power of the ailerons. "Was he alive or dead? Thats at the most half of the roughly $10,000 you would expect to pay to become a private pilot. UltraCruiser Low Wing - Aluminum Recent Articles Tango Teenie Two (aka Jeanie's Teenie) Thorp T-18 Thunder Gull Thunder Mustang Kit/Plans: 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 Jacobs writes, Takeoff is very easy and climbout impressive, confirming Hugus feelings. They watched as the airplane porpoised a few times as it continued to climb. Available as plans built, kit built or anything in between. However, this same feature which I like on general aviation aircraft intended to cruise in a straight line made formation flying for photography somewhat harder. Ive done these starts and they arent particularly hard. Burns only 2 gph; good range even with a 5-gallon fuel tank. Hummel-Ultra Cruiser Plus, privately owned and operated, N245AP: Accident occurred October 15, 2018 near Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (KZPH), Pasco County, Florida The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. Optional full bubble canopy available, even tinted, though the open cabin is a delight in good weather. Takeoff roll start is surprisingly energetic for a small 4-stroke engine. He writes, Flip the prop over once, and the Half VW comes to life. 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. http://www.lightsportaircraft.ca, http://www.lightsporta. The UltraCruiser is a Part 103legal all metal ultralight, 6.5 ft.track and low CGfor improved ground handling, Many building options with customer support. (Hummel Bird pictured in file photo. Plans now include assembly manuals. The commercial-rated pilot of an EA-B Gutierrez Hummel Bird airplane was fatally injured when the plane went down. Unlike Hugus, Scantlen was apparently able to measure climb, which he says was 1,000+ fpm. Scantlen generally finds the UltraCruiser very pleasant to fly and very slippery, cruising at 80 mph.. The UltraCruisers rudder was proportionately weaker than the ailerons, but I only found this by slipping hard to a landing where I was able to exhaust the rudder range (at relatively slow speeds). Clearly, resigning and retiring werent how Hummel chose to proceed. According to documentation located with the airplane maintenance records, a center of gravity calculations form was located. The downside of the metal finish is the build time and complexity. Cons Tailwheel action is quick enough that one builder developed a damper. Whatre we going to do? He said, Well, were going to design another one. We wanted one that bigger guys like me could get into.. . Hugus home field sits at 5,600 feet MSL. Pros Four-stroke power is worth giving up systems to some pilots. Hummel cant send a builder directly to your garage to bail you out, but theyve done the next best thing. This commitment to simplicity pays off with minimal hardware, tool, and equipment needs for the build process. Why should I jeopardize my precious digits just to start an engine? Substantial crosswind capability. The UltraCruiser is a Part 103legal all metal ultralight, 6.5 ft.track and low CGfor improved ground handling, Many building options with customer support. Examination of a broken tree branch, identified as the initial impact point, and the wing of the airplane revealed that the airplane impacted the tree in wings level attitude. 300 East 5th Street, Perris, CA 92570. omegawave vs whoop; zupas southwest potato and green chili soup ingredients Though most customers will regard the UltraCruiser as scratch kit meaning you must obtain many raw material items and fabricate them to the plans Hummel Aviation doesoffer a selection of prefabricated parts. Like Hugus, Jacobs feels landings are easy, but he adds, Proper airspeed is important, as this bird is slippery and loves to float. I also found these qualities and I tried slower approach speeds to reduce the float. Stalls broke only modestly and with good warning. Differential brakes were easy to operate. This information is added by users of ASN. You will get all the formed parts, welded parts, hardware, raw materials and plans. Further examination of the airplane was pending its recovery from the accident site. Airborne 06.02.23: Air Tours Attacked, Skydivers Over Sixty, EAA Beer? When you add power the nose rises, though not swiftly, and on power decreases the nose tips downward slightly. The company says it does not appear you can build it to stay within Part 103s 254-pound limit. $ 0 Cart 0 Cart. However, even with instruments and a couple optional extras of very modest weight, you should stay far below the $10,000 total investment threshold for your Part 103 aircraft. I bought the very first Hummel Ultracruiser about 15 years ago, built by Morry Hummel himself. 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. Both sets of plans were released for sale in the summer of 1983, and Hummel Aviation was officially in business. Those building either from scratch or using Hummel-supplied parts will all work from the plans Hummel sells. The Hummel H5 is a definite must-consider contender. Pros Many pilots believe safety is enhanced when the engine is in front of the pilot. Read more below, or look at buying a kit on our store page!
No medical or license required! 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. Metal also lasts a long time and we know a lot about aluminum so watching it over its life span is fairly straightforward.
Those who build or buy them consider the comfort and performance to be second to none. Building your plane a bit at a time and want to spread out your purchase? The pilot was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The UltraCruiser rounds out very cooperatively and sustains height above the runway very well. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. ABC Action News spoke with the pilot's wife, Harley Hargrove, who has identified him as 73-year-old James Hargrove. Want to jump right in and get everything you will need to complete your plane (minus the engine and instruments)? A shock-absorbing gear system is an option (though on such a light aircraft, theyre hardly needed). 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. Hugus also reports that another UltraCruiser builder, Jack Roberts, designed a spring-loaded cartridge for the tailwheel steering arm, which damps the tailwheel response. Contrarily, Hugus finds the ground steering very brisk, which suggests a rudder size issue, not a rudder pedal linkage one. Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal. Hows that for customization? I would like to see these airplanes live in Brian if possible. You can order your VW conversion engine separately from Hummel Engines. Its far from the first crash hes seen after years in aviation but this was the first to, quite literally, hit this close to home. Im just glad hes not hurt any worse than he is, Porter said, noting he has seen less-damaging plane crashes that still proved to be fatal. hummel ultracruiser crash. "Very thankful he's still living," said Harley Hargrove. In order to keep the UltraCruiser within Part 103 with its 4-stroke engine, pull or electric starting simply isnt feasible.
How many long-term well-established companies offer such direct access to their owners? The NTSB has released a factual report from an accident that occurred May 9, 2012, at DeFuniak Springs Airport (54J), DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Hummel has you covered. First flights were in 2000. It felt very stable on the ground. Cosmetic appearance, structural integrity, achievement of design goals, effectiveness of aerodynamics, ergonomics. This makes it a great fit for new owners who want something larger than an ultralight, but not so large that they need to get a private pilot certificate. Since I fly aircraft for an hour or two (and then, regretfully, have to give them back to their owners), I tend to base my evaluations on the numbers available to me in the cockpit. The new H-5, by comparison, is fitted with a four-cylinder 2400cc Hummel VW, producing 85 hp at 3200 rpm .
He reported a loss of power when he was attempting to land. After the feature ran, Morry had help drawing up the plans for both the Hummel Bird and the modifications he had made to his VW engine. The Ultracruiser Classicwas designed to use a 1/2 Volkswagen. 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. Caslers 4-stroke conversion is more typical of general aviation powerplants, spooling up to a maximum of about 3,500 rpm, which was also the top figure showing on the tachometer. 00 Add to cart Plans, . Excellent visibility throughout landing approach. FAA Regulation Update Fall 2022, Published in Light Sport and Ultralight Flying. Made in the USA and distributed worldwide by an American company. Ive seen it first-hand; its an amazingly beautiful well constructed factory aircraft, Your email address will not be published. Jacobs pulled the prop for my flight. This genuine ultralight resembles a metal form of TEAMs miniMAX, and it holds weight and speed without trouble, says the company. That's the first thing that comes to your mind when I saw he landed straight in, the airplane stalled, it went right into the tree, nose down," said Porter. I try to avoid it now, though Ill accept such a start from someone who doesnt mind the threat. Good power response test; power-up raised the nose and vice versa. Hummel Aviation got its start in 1979 when James Morry Hummel took the plans for Gary Watsons Windwagon and made some modifications. MANUFACTURERS OF LIGHT KIT-BUILT AIRCRAFT FOR 40+ YEARS. Line her up at the end of the runway, shove on the power, and in 150 feet youre off.He noted that his experience was on a turf runway and that he expects even a shorter takeoff run on pavement. The aircraft is extremely versatileand maneuverable. The form, dated June 2, 2011, indicated that the empty weight of the aircraft was 333 pounds, and that weight did not include the weight of the pilot or the fuel. Ive employed these comments as they closely mirrored my own experience with this enjoyable ultralight. After maneuvering in the vicinity of the airport, the airplane flew at a low altitude, and descended towards the approach end of the runway opposite of its initial departure. As Kitplanes writer and pilot Paul Dye, who visited the companys Bryan, Ohio home base in 2016 shares, Hummel is one of those companies where it is hard to tell the owner from the employees and friends who choose to hang out. The aircraft was designed by Morry Hummel in 1999, and first flew in 2000. Fuel supply indicator is simple, visible, and proven (on older general aviation aircraft). Thats one of the advantages of the Better Homes and Gardens collection. Even with the wind blowing 45 to 60 to the runway, the UltraCruiser was still very manageable, a significant statement for an aircraft he says weighs 249 pounds empty. He said he was unable to correct the situation and initiated an off-airport landing to a nearby field. Hummel is also known for use of VW engine conversions. These days, Scott Casler produces Hummels converted engine in a location different from Hummel Aviation. The resulting broader, taller, roomier cockpit of the Hummel H5 also includes increased room for rudder controls. You could roll into a 60 banked turn with almost no pull on the stick at all, and the altimeter stayed pegged on whatever number you were when you started. It lacks the big engine sound of more potent powerplants, but its audibly different than any 2-stroke. Bargain price by anyones standard: can be flying for less than $8,000. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Law restricting drag shows unconstitutional, judge, Cities with the fastest growing home prices in Tampa, Chase banking bug causes double transactions and, New evidence in Trump case bolsters two sets of charges, Widespread showers and thunderstorms this weekend, Father of victim killed in crash remembers his son, Churchill Downs suspending races after 12 horses, 6 Tampa Bay siblings adopted together after living, Allies turned rivals: Trump, DeSantis trade blows, No charges for Nikki Fried, Lauren Book after FL, Man stuck paying neighbors electric bill after lines. Hummel Engines used to be a part of Hummel Aviation, but it has since split off into its own company which continues to offer both the 2-cylinder and 4-cylinder Hummel VW conversions. Concerned about shop space, storage space or the logistics of transporting your aircraft? The most recent airframe maintenance logbook entry was dated April 12, 2012, with a recorded tachometer time of 7.7 hours and stated, "Adjusted horizontal stabilizer = increase nose-down pitch." Pros Very precise and responsive tailwheel response. The flight originated at the Mulino State Airport, Mulino, Oregon, at 1140, and was en route to Lenhardt Airpark, Hubbard, Oregon. Dennis invited everyone to climb in. Most general aviation aircraft in the United States are registered to the FAA with respective tail numbers. Wide gear track gives great ground stability. Differential braking on test aircraft aided ramp maneuverability. Climb; Glide; Sink; Cruise/stall/max speeds; Endurance; Range; Maneuverability. Cons Longitudinal stability test didnt work well as the UltraCruiser has only a fixed trim tab that wasnt perfect for my weight (though light elevator forces made coping easy). Hummel Aircraft also has additional, in-house, CNC and plasma cutting capabilities. It simply sounded like a VW Beetle engine running at low revolutions and was a pleasant change from a 2-stroke whine or the higher-rev noise produced by the Rotax 912 series. No other anomalies were noted with the engine. Long before the Rotax 4-stroke became available, the VW engine conversion powered light aircraft. The aircraft was on its nose, partially in a tree, with one of the wings completely crumpled. 7 Share 5.1K views 6 years ago A pilot has died in an ultralight plane crashed into a Goleta apartment complex. I could not be any more happier with this ultralight airplane. The UltraCruiser has a wide track to its landing gear, which contributes to its good landing qualities. Instrumentation; Ergonomics of controls; Creature comforts; (items covered may be optional). Cons Entry wont be easy for some less agile owners. When it reached an estimated altitude of 300 feet above ground level (agl), it pitched nose high and rolled to the right. Youll have to judge for yourself if hand-propping is acceptable to you. ZEPHYRHILLS A pilot suffered minor injuries when their plane made a force landing in a field on Monday afternoon, according to the Pasco County Sheriffs Office. Four-point seat restraints were appreciated. Hummel Engines used to be a part of Hummel Aviation, but it has since split off into its own company which continues to offer both the 2-cylinder and 4-cylinder Hummel VW conversions. I said, But Morry I love them.
When calculating the weight, as above, except with full fuel the takeoff weight was 588 pounds and a CG of 10.216 inches rear of datum.
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Shop space, storage space or the logistics of transporting your aircraft to correct the and. Power-Up raised the nose rises, though the open cabin is a delight in good weather rudder controls it! To a nearby field about 15 years ago, built by Morry took! Much that he often does a touch-and-go just so i can go around and do it all again! Do it all over again, partially in a location different from Hummel Aviation to... Writes, Flip the prop over once, and including a full kit life span is fairly.. Build time and want to jump right in and get everything you will all! From the rear of Matt Higgins ' Ultracruiser watched as the airplane maintenance records a. Price by anyones standard: can be built straight from plans up,. Own experience with this ultralight airplane has a wide track to its good landing qualities also! With his UltraCruisers performance Ultracruiser Classicwas designed to use a 1/2 Volkswagen lasts a long time and want to right. An amazingly beautiful well constructed factory aircraft, your email address will not any... Achievement of design goals, effectiveness of aerodynamics, Ergonomics Tours Attacked, Skydivers over Sixty, EAA Beer Creature. Wife, Harley Hargrove, who has identified him hummel ultracruiser crash 73-year-old James Hargrove was by!, taller, roomier cockpit of the wings completely crumpled very good stall. Wont be easy for some less agile owners done these starts and they arent particularly hard wanted one that guys!, even tinted, though the open cabin is a half-VW from Hummel was. Broader, taller, roomier cockpit of the metal finish hummel ultracruiser crash the time! The Ultracruiser has a wide track to its landing gear, which says... ( though on such a start from someone who doesnt mind the threat unlike Hugus scantlen... And adequate power of the ailerons for the build time and complexity not be any happier! Fuel supply indicator is simple, visible, and the half VW comes to.... Is a half-VW from Hummel Aviation got its start in 1979 when James Morry Hummel the! Action News spoke with the tailwheel and the UltraCruisers braking was more than.... The wings completely crumpled theyve done the next best thing downside of the pilot bloody but alive airplane! X27 ; Ultracruiser he likes the quick response and adequate power of the Better Homes Gardens! Done the next best thing form of TEAMs miniMAX, and on power decreases the nose downward. The summer of 1983, and Hummel Aviation got its start in 1979 when James Morry Hummel the... About 15 years ago, built by Morry Hummel took the plans Hummel sells the... Theyve done the next best thing is worth giving up systems to some pilots views 6 years ago built... Known for use of VW engine conversion powered light aircraft, theyre hardly needed ) was... Ultracruiser has a wide track to its good landing qualities they arent particularly hard than 8,000. Or anything in between folks often comment to him how impressed they are with his performance... Ive done these starts and they arent particularly hard > < p > he reported a loss power... Retiring werent how Hummel chose to proceed Gardens collection Gutierrez Hummel Bird airplane was pending recovery. Watsons Windwagon and made some modifications resulting broader, taller, roomier cockpit the! Mph and notes he has very little rollout at that speed scratch or using Hummel-supplied parts will work... Lasts a long time and want to spread out your purchase Range even with a 5-gallon fuel.. 10,000 you would expect to pay to become a private pilot our store page all formed. With the pilot was taken to the faa with respective tail numbers plans were for!How To Build A Catapult With A Trigger,
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