H-3 Pegasus
Role Ultralight aircraft and homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Howland Aero Design
Designer Bert Howland
First flight 1988
Status Plans may still be available, kits still available
Number built 20 (2003)
Developed from Howland H-2 Honey Bee

The Howland H-3 Pegasus is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Bert Howland and made available by Howland Aero Design in the form of plans for amateur construction, with kits provided by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. The H-3 first flew in 1988.[1][2][3]

Design and development

The aircraft is a monoplane derivation of the biplane H-2 Honey Bee and was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 252 lb (114 kg), when equipped with the now-out of production Rotax 277 single cylinder engine. If equipped with heavier engines it falls into the Experimental - Amateur-built category in its home country, although still qualifies as an ultralight in other countries, such as Canada. The H-3 features a cantilever low-wing, a single-seat, open cockpit, conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft is made from wood and aluminium and covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. The fuselage is made from square aluminum tubing that is TIG welded and weighs 18 lb (8 kg) when completed. Its 25 ft (7.6 m) span wing is of a straight planform. The landing gear is conventional, with suspended main wheels and a steerable tailwheel. The cockpit is of an open design, with a small windshield. Controls are conventional three-axis, with ailerons, rudder and elevator.[1][2]

Since the death of the designer plans have been intermittently available and were last provided by Classic Aero Enterprises. Aircraft Spruce and Specialty continue to provide raw materials kits.[1][2][4][5]

The aircraft has an acceptable power range of 28 to 55 hp (21 to 41 kW). The use of the 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277, or the similar weight and power Hirth F-33, allows the aircraft to fit into the US ultralight category if weight is carefully controlled during construction. However the H-3 is underpowered with this engine and most have been equipped with heavier engines of higher output, such as the 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 or the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503. The 30 hp (22 kW) Hirth F-263 and 53 hp (40 kW) Hirth 2704 have also been used.[1][2][6][7]

Operational history

The H-3 won The Most Innovative Ultralight at Sun 'n Fun in 1989 and Best Commercial Ultralight at Sun 'n Fun 1990.[2]

Specifications (H-3)

Data from Cliche, Kitplanes and Purdy[1][8][9][10]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 25 ft (7.6 m)
  • Wing area: 110 sq ft (10 m2)
  • Empty weight: 252 lb (114 kg)
  • Gross weight: 550 lb (249 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 277 single cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, with 2.5:1 reduction drive, 28 hp (21 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h, 83 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 55 mph (89 km/h, 48 kn)
  • Stall speed: 27 mph (43 km/h, 23 kn)
  • Range: 120 mi (190 km, 100 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 9,000 ft (2,700 m)
  • g limits: +5/-3
  • Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.0 m/s)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-17. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co (2011). "Honey Bee and H-3 Pegasus". Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  3. ↑ AeroFiles. "Howland". Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  4. ↑ Classic Aero Enterprises. "Classic Aero Enterprises". Archived from the original on April 30, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  5. ↑ Downey, Julia: 1999 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 16, Number 1, January 1999, page 56. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  6. ↑ Downey, Julia: 2003 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 1, January 2003, page 19. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  7. ↑ "Ultralight/Microlight aircraft specs USA". Ultralight Home Page. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  8. ↑ Downey, Julia: 2001 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 1, January 2001, page 17. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  9. ↑ Downey, Julia: 2002 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 19, Number 1, January 2002, page 14. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  10. ↑ Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 140. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
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