The Flightstar is a large family of single and two-seat, high wing, single engin ed kit aircraft produced by Flightstar

Sportplanes of South Woodstock, Connectic ut. Flightstar designer Tom Peghiny built the first Flightstar in the mid-1980s for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category with its maximum 254 lb (115 kg) emp ty weight requirement. The two-seat Flightstar II soon followed to fill the role of a trainer. The designs quickly became commercial successes and the basic des ign has been extensively developed over time. By 2007 over 700 single seaters ha d been sold.[1][5] All models are constructed from anodized aluminum tubing assembled with bolts. T he fuselage is suspended from a keel tube that also mounts the engine at the fro nt, the tail at the back and the wings. The wings are strut-braced and utilize j ury struts. The wings and tail surfaces are covered in pre-sewn Dacron envelopes , which reduces construction time. The wings have full-span ailerons, while the tail features conventional elevators and rudder. The landing gear is a tricycle gear arrangement with bungee suspension on the main wheels. The nosewheel is ste erable and mainwheel brakes are an available option. The reported construction t ime for the single seat models is 100 hours.[1][5] The fuselage is built around an overhead aluminum tube keel that mounts the tail at the back, the wings and fuselage in the centre and the engine at the front. The pod-type cockpit fairing is made from fibreglass and includes a windshield.[ 1] The two seat models all have side-by-side seating and have folding wings. Report ed construction time for the current two seat models is 150 hours.[1][2][4][5] Reviewer Andre Cliche described the Flightstar line as: "a strong ultralight tha t is built to last" and particularly singled out the control system for praise s aying: "the controls are well-balanced, light and authoritative."[1] In July 2009 a new single seat model was exhibited at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Th e e-Spyder is an electric-powered version of the Sportstar Spyder, developed by Tom Peghiny. The aircraft replaces the Spyder's two-stroke engine with a Yuneec Power Drive 200 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor and two 28 lb (13 kg) lithium-polym er battery packs which provide a 40 minute endurance. The aircraft is intended t o be developed into a commercially available kit and forecast to be available fo r under US$25,000 Variants[edit] Single seatFlightstar Original mid-1980s single seat ultralight with an empty weight of 250 lb (113 kg ), powered by the 26 hp (19 kW) Rotax 277 engine[1] Flightstar Formula Improved single seat version with complete fairing and an empty weight of 320 lb (145 kg). First flown in 1987 Powered by the 42 hp (31 kW) Rotax 447 or 50 hp ( 37 kW) Rotax 503 engine[2] Flightstar Spyder Further refined single seat version first flown in 1993. Partial or complete fai ring and an empty weight of 280 lb (127 kg) with the 42 hp (31 kW) Rotax 447. Ca n be operated in the US ultralight vehicle category if equipped with a lighter s ingle cylinder engine[2][4] Flightstar Loadstar Fuselage, wings and tail of the Flightstar II with just a single seat fitted, in tended for use on floats or to tow hang gliders. Empty weight of 340 lb (154 kg) with the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503.[4] Flightstar e-Spyder Electric aircraft development of the Spyder equipped with a Yuneec Power Drive 2 00 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor and two 28 lb (13 kg) lithium-polymer battery pa

cks which provide a 40 minute endurance. First flown in July 2009. Qualifies as a US single seat ultralight with an empty weight of 253 lb (115 kg).[6][7][8] [edit] Two seatFlightstar II Original two-seat ultralight trainer first flown in 1987 with an empty weight of 365 lb (166 kg) and powered by the 26 hp (19 kW) Rotax 277 engine, 50 hp (37 kW ) Rotax 503, 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E four stroke or the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582[1 ][2][4] Flightstar IISL Improved "Sport Light" two-seat version, first flown in 1994. Empty weight of 36 5 lb (166 kg), partial cockpit fairing was standard and full fairing optional. P owered by the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503, 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E four stroke or the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582[2][4] Flightstar IISC Improved two-seat "Sport Cabin" version. Empty weight of 465 lb (211 kg), powere d by the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503, 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E four stroke or the 64 h p (48 kW) Rotax 582 Specifications (Flightstar II) Flightstar IIData from Kitplanes[4] Flightstar Sportplanes is an American aircraft manufacturer based in South Woods tock, Connecticut. Its primary product is the Flightstar of ultralight and two-s eat training and light-sport aircraft, which have been in continuous production since the mid-1980s. The company also distributes two other manufacturer's aircr aft lines, engines and aviation products General characteristics Crew: one Capacity: one passenger Length: 15 ft 0 in (4.56 m) Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.76 m) Height: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) Wing area: 157 sq ft (14.60 sq m) Empty weight: 430 lb (195 kg) Useful load: 520 lb (236 kg) Max takeoff weight: 950 lb (431 kg) Powerplant: 1 HKS 700E two cylinder four stroke, 60 hp (45 kW) Propellers: 1 propeller Performance Maximum speed: 96 mph (156 km/h) Cruise speed: 75 mph (122 km/h) Stall speed: 36 mph (58 km/h) Range: 345 sm (559 km) Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3660 m) Rate of climb: 800 fpm (4.06 m/s) Wing loading: 6.05 lb/sq ft (29.52 kg/sq m) Power/mass: 15.83 lb/hp (0.104 kW/kg) Specifications (Flightstar II) Flightstar IIData from Kitplanes[4] General characteristics Crew: one Capacity: one passenger Length: 15 ft 0 in (4.56 m) Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.76 m) Height: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)

Wing area: 157 sq ft (14.60 sq m) Empty weight: 430 lb (195 kg) Useful load: 520 lb (236 kg) Max takeoff weight: 950 lb (431 kg) Powerplant: 1 HKS 700E two cylinder four stroke, 60 hp (45 kW) Propellers: 1 propeller Performance Maximum speed: 96 mph (156 km/h) Cruise speed: 75 mph (122 km/h) Stall speed: 36 mph (58 km/h) Range: 345 sm (559 km) Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3660 m) Rate of climb: 800 fpm (4.06 m/s) Wing loading: 6.05 lb/sq ft (29.52 kg/sq m) Power/mass: 15.83 lb/hp (0.104 kW/kg) The company was founded in the early 1980s by aircraft designer Tom Peghiny to b uild his initial commercial design the Flightstar ultralight. The Flightstar was intended for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category with its maximum 254 l b (115 kg) empty weight requirement. The two-seat Flightstar II soon followed to fill the role of a trainer. The designs quickly became commercial successes and the basic design has been extensively developed over time. By 2007 over 700 sin gle seaters had been sold.[1][5] In July 2009 Peghiny demonstrated a new version of his Spyder single seat model at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Designated the e-Spyder, it differs from earlier mode ls in that it is electric-powered. The aircraft replaces the standard Spyder's n ormally-fitted two-stroke engine with a Yuneec Power Drive 200 20 kW (27 hp) ele ctric motor and two 28 lb (13 kg) lithium-polymer battery packs which provide a 40 minute endurance. The aircraft is intended to be developed into a commerciall y available kit and forecast to be available for under US$25,000.[6][7][8] Flightstar is also a distributor for Ballistic Recovery Systems parachutes, Rota x and HKS aircraft engines, Lockwood Aircraft supplies, the Leza-Lockwood Air Ca m and Flight Design CT series of aircraft.[3]