Wood Sky Pup
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Designer Stephen K. Wood
First flight 1980
Introduction 1982
Status Plans available
Produced 1982-present
Number built 350

The Wood Sky Pup is an American single-seat, high wing, cantilever, single engine, conventional landing gear ultralight aircraft that was designed by Stephen K. Wood[1] of Whitewater, Colorado for amateur construction.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Design and development

Introduced in 1982, the Sky Pup is a single seater designed as an FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles compliant aircraft with an empty weight within that category's 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight limit. The aircraft was intended to require the minimum financial investment and the designer intended that the airframe would be able to be completed for US$1000 using locally available materials. Cliche reported in 2001 that Sky Pups had been completed for US$2000, including the engine.[2][3] Its shape has been described as imitating the 1930s Aeronca C-2 "flying bathtub".

The airframe is constructed from Douglas fir and styrofoam, all covered in Dacron or polyester fabric. The wing is a three-piece design, allowing quick disassembly for transport or storage. The landing gear suspension is made from maple wood. The Sky Pup can be built with an open cockpit or fully enclosed, allowing flying in cooler weather. The Sky Pup is available as plans only. The power range specified is 18 to 28 hp (13 to 21 kW), with the largest engine specified the 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277. The 20 hp (15 kW) 2si 215, 28 hp (21 kW) Hirth F-33 and 22 hp (16 kW) Zenoah G-25 have also been used.[2][3][4][8]

The design was professionally engineered and incorporates a very clean cantilever wing that results in a 12:1 glide ratio. The control system is two-axis, using only elevator and rudder controls, roll being introduced by rudder via a generous dihedral angle. The elevator is stick-controlled, while the rudder is controlled via conventional aircraft pedals. The aircraft is stall and spin proof. Reported construction times are 450–600 hours.[2][3]

Plans were initially sold direct by the designer and, in the early 2000s, by the Vintage Ultra and Lightplane Association. Later the designer's son marketed the plans and this is the current source.[2][3][5][6][7]

Specifications (Sky Pup)

Data from Brochure, Cliche, and Kitplanes[1][2][5][6][7]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 15 ft 11 in (4.85 m)
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m)
  • Height: 4 ft 4 in (1.32 m)
  • Wing area: 130 sq ft (12 m2)
  • Empty weight: 195 lb (88 kg) with Cuyuna 215RR
  • Gross weight: 400 lb (181 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 US gallons (19 litres)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Zenoah G-25 , 22 hp (16 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 55 mph (89 km/h, 48 kn)
  • Stall speed: 26 mph (42 km/h, 23 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 69 mph (111 km/h, 60 kn)
  • Range: 150 mi (240 km, 130 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 450 ft/min (2.3 m/s)
  • Lift-to-drag: 12:1

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. 1 2 Wood, Stephen: At Last - Sky Pup (Original Color Brochure), page 1. Sport Flight Engineering, Inc., 1983.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-54. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Build Your Own Ultralight (n.d.). "The Sky Pup". Archived from the original on 5 September 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  4. 1 2 skypup.wikispaces (January 2009). "Sky Pup". Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Downey, Julia: 2001 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 1, January 2001, page 31. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  6. 1 2 3 Downey, Julia: 2002 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 19, Number 1, January 2002, page 31. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  7. 1 2 3 Downey, Julia: 2003 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 1, January 2003, page 30. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  8. ↑ skypup.wikispaces (July 2008). "Sky Pup Specifications". Archived from the original on 11 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
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