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A number of ultralight aircraft manufacturers have started to build part
103 legal ultralight again. With all the attention that the light sport
category has gotten little if any changes have taken place with respect
to increasing weights for ultralights.
So other ways have had to be found to build a legal part 103
ultralight. Recreational Power the U.S. Hirth Aircraft engine
distributor has been working with the factory, and has put their twin
cylinder opposed F-23 engine, which has been on the market for over 20
years on a weight reduction program.
Hirth has redesigned the engine with a lighter crankshaft, and
reduction drive, switched to a pull starter with a decompression system,
which has reduced the weight for a 50 HP engine to 71 lbs. (Note the
older version of the engine is still available, the newer engine has a
UL designation.) This is 5 lbs heavier than a single cylinder 277 Rotax
which put out only 28 HP.
The decompression system works automatically on start up via a
compression bi-pass system.
The engine comes standard with dual carbs, dual ignition, and a 20
amp charging system. It has a 1 year total warranty and a 3 year pro
rated warranty. Top end TBO is 500 hours with engine rebuild at 1,000
hours.
Raven Trikes will be one of the first manufacturers to use the engine
on the part 103 legal trikes. |
