Busker ultralight aircraft pictures, Busker experimental aircraft images, Busker lightsport aircraft photographs, Lightsport Aircraft Pilot newsmagazine aircraft directory.

Lightsport Aircraft Pilot is a directory of aircraft that generally fit into what is described as ultralight aircraft, advanced ultralight aircraft, lightsport aircraft, experimental aircraft, amateur built aircraft, 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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Lightsport Aircraft Pilot

Busker & Gee Bee Model D Index

Busker & Gee Bee Model D Pictures

Busker & Gee Bee Model D Video

Busker pictures, images of the Busker ultralight, experimental, lightsport aircraft.

Formed in 1978 by Steve Mahrle to act as a research and development company, SAM's initial work was centered on design, construction and test flight of the fledgling ultralight air vehicles.

SAM concerned itself with safety and flight performance and began the work of applying proven engineering and aerodynamic principles to the then new concept of ultralight aircraft.

Guided by a company goal of efficient use of assets, SAM developed several test vehicles, and utilizing its newly gained expertise, offered systematic flight test programs to other ultralight manufacturers. Various programs such as developing one of the first replica WW1 ultralight fighters (Fokker-lite E III), designing and building the first low wing ultralight (L.Y.N.X.) and applying radio controlled dynamic flight models for evaluation and analysis kept SAM solvent through its early years of activity.

Key to the company's successful activity was the concept of a team centered on each programs development. Select talented members, hand picked by Mr. Mahrle and allowed to do the job without being encumbered with a conventional 'suit and tie' mentality, fostered an environment of creativity during a time of national economic upheaval. The company's 'up front' and pragmatic approach was also a departure: "If it can be done, we'll do it. If it can't be done by us, we will tell you so, and see if we can find someone else for you." 

Guided by the acquired skills of design, engineering maintenance, and flight, Mr. Mahrle and his team kept hard at work during the early years of SAM.

A contract to develop, build and test fly a series of replica ultralight and standard aircraft based on the design of the Ryan STA required Mr. Mahrle to move from Southern California to Texas in 1984. The project was literally from the ground up. Starting from an empty warehouse, Mr. Mahrle recruited the required personnel, designed craftBusker  Gee Bee model D from Striker Air #1, trained the crew, built the required fixtures and had the first prototype airworthy in 60 days. He successfully test flew this first ship and immediately began work on the 2-seat version which was also personally test flown. A total of nine craft (6 single place, 2 two seat, and 1 test airframe) were constructed.

Due to family needs and requirements in Southern California, Mr. Mahrle left the operation in 1985 to return to Southern California. Unfortunately without the creative talents and drive of Mr. Mahrle no more aircraft were completed and the Texas company's operations crashed.

Upon return to his Southern California shop, new space was acquired and work commenced on reestablishing SAM with a three-fold business development program. First, design and research on new aircraft; second, restoration and maintenance of standard category aircraft; and third, development of radio control application to special motion picture projects.

Upon return to his Southern California shop, new space was acquired and work commenced on reestablishing SAM with a three-fold business development program. First, design and research on new aircraft; second, restoration and maintenance of standard category aircraft; and third, development of radio control application to special motion picture projects.

Then in April of 1992 disaster struck, in the form of the Los Angeles riots in the aftermath of the Rodney King trial. SAM's shop was located in the path of the destruction. With the loss of the shop due to the resulting inferno and the increase of violence and general lack of safety a personal decision was made.

A move to the Midwest and the serene environment of Oshkosh, Wisconsin to take advantage of better schools for his two daughters and a less hectic environment for his wife Tricia Mahrle, H.R.N. C.C.R.N., meant that a new shop was opened to continue SAM operations from the heartland of America.

Contract work on Windway Aviation aircraft which involved both maintenance and restoration kept SAM quite busy.  At which time there was a shift in direction to the design and production of a series of specialty aircraft developed around the concept of production interchangeability.  Examples of these are:

  • Busker, a single place biplane with an open cockpit
  • Gee Bee Model D, a low wing with an open cockpit
  • Angel's one, negative gull wing stagger closed cockpit pylon racing aircraft

Busker ultralight aircraft pictures, Busker experimental aircraft images, Busker lightsport aircraft photographs, Lightsport Aircraft Pilot newsmagazine aircraft directory.

To view the pictures, images of the  Busker click on the smaller images and they will enlarge. To return to the index page for the Busker click on  Busker Index link, to view video of the Busker click on the Video link, to return to the Main Index click on the Lightsport Aircraft Pilot link.

Lightsport Aircraft Pilot

Busker & Gee Bee Model D Index

Busker & Gee Bee Model D Pictures

Busker & Gee Bee Model D Video

Quad City Challenger aircraft covers.

Rotax 912,  Rotax 912 manuals, Rotax 912 installation manual, Rotax 912 maintenance manual, Rotax 912 parts list.

K & N airfilters, K and N air filters, K&N air filters

Aircraft brakes, ultralight aircraft brakes, light sport aircraft brakes, hydraulic ultralight and light sport aircraft brakes.

Rotax 582, Rotax 582 aircraft engine rebuilding manual for the 582 Rotax  engine.

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