The UFM Easy Riser is an American swept wing biplane hang glider that was first powered in 1975, becoming the first modern ultralight aircraft. The Easy Riser was still in production as an unpowered glider in 2002 by Ultralight Flying Machines.
Design and development
The Easy Riser was developed by Larry Mauro from the earlier Kiceniuk Icarus II biplane hang glider. An engine was installed by John Moody in 1975 so the glider could be launched from flat terrain.
Early powered versions consisted simply of a motor added to the foot-launched hang glider version with control by a combination of weight shift for pitch and tip rudders for roll and yaw, with the tip rudders used together as air brakes. Because many pilots could not run fast enough to achieve take-off wheeled tricycle gear was added. The aircraft exhibited poor pitch stability so a horizontal stabilizer and elevator was added. Finally on later versions the tip rudders were replaced with a tail-mounted rudder.
The Easy Riser is constructed with an aluminium structure and stamped ribs, covered in doped aircraft fabric covering, Mylar or other coverings. The pilot sits on a fabric sling seat. Engines used include the 11Â hp (8Â kW) McCulloch MAC-101, 15Â hp (11Â kW) Hirth F-36 and Solo 210.
Easy Risers were produced in large numbers until the ultralight market downturn of the early 1980s when the type was taken out of production. Later the unpowered glider version was put back into limited production.
In 1979 Larry Mauro installed solar cells and an electric motor on a stock Easy Riser and the resulting Mauro Solar Riser become the first solar powered aircraft to carry a person aloft.
Aircraft on Display
- Canadian Air & Space Museum - Easy Riser used by Bill Lishman in projects to teach birds to migrate
- EAA AirVenture Museum - two Easy Risers and the Solar Riser.
- US Southwest Soaring Museum - Easy Riser
Specifications (Easy Riser ultralight)
Data from EAA
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Length: 9Â ft 0Â in (2.74Â m)
- Wingspan: 30Â ft 0Â in (9.14Â m)
- Height: 4Â ft (1.2Â m)
- Wing area: 170 sq ft (16 m2)
- Empty weight: 120Â lb (54Â kg)
- Gross weight: 320Â lb (145Â kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × McCulloch MAC-101 two cylinder inline engine, 11 hp (8.2 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed wooden, 4Â ft 6Â in (1.37Â m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 40Â mph (64Â km/h; 35Â kn)
- Cruise speed: 25Â mph (40Â km/h; 22Â kn)
- Stall speed: 20Â mph (32Â km/h; 17Â kn)
- Range: 100Â mi (87Â nmi; 161Â km)
- Service ceiling: 9,000Â ft (2,700Â m)
- Rate of climb: 300Â ft/min (1.5Â m/s)
- Wing loading: 1.88 lb/sq ft (9.2 kg/m2)
Notable appearances in media
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Eipper Quicksilver
- Pterodactyl Ascender
References
External links
- Official website
- Photo of John Moody flying his Easy Rider