Stanton Sunbird

The Sunbird is a single-seater homebuilt motor glider, designed and built in New Zealand by Charles Stanton. It first flew in 1995, and was retired in 2005.[1]

Barber Snark
Role motor glider
National origin New Zealand
Manufacturer Charles Stanton
First flight 26 February 1995
Retired 16 April 2005
Status Museum display
Number built 1

Design and development

Charles Stanton of Nelson, New Zealand had previously built and flown an AmEagle American Eaglet motor glider, registration ZK-GOE (c/n AACA/641).[2] That craft's registration was cancelled in 1992. Stanton then went on to design and build a motor glider, and utilised components from the American Eaglet. Construction took over three years, and was completed by early 1995.

The Sunbird was a self-launching motor glider.[3] It was a high-wing monoplane of conventional configuration, with a pod-and-boom style of fuselage. The cantilevered wing had no dihedral and its planform was of constant chord with a tapered outer section. The pilot was housed in a small faired nacelle. The engine was located at the rear of the nacelle, and powered a two-bladed folding propeller.[1] The engine was a 21 kW (28 hp) Rotax 277, which could be re-started in flight.[4] The empennage was of the standard type arranged in a cruciform configuration. The undercarriage was a fixed monowheel fitted with a wheel spat. The Sunbird met the New Zealand specifications for Class 1 Microlights, and was issued with the registration ZK-JEA.[3]

Operational history

It first flew on 26 February 1995, with Stanton reportedly making numerous flights in it over the next ten years. On one flight, it reached an altitude of 4,000 m (13,000 ft). Another flight lasted for 3+1⁄2 hours. The craft's final flight took place on 16 April 2005. It was donated to the Ashburton Aviation Museum on 4 December 2005, during the Museum's Christmas Party.[3]

Specifications

Data from NZ Civil Aircraft [3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 12.80 m (42 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 9.20 m2 (99.0 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 17.80
  • Airfoil: Eppler 748 High Lift
  • Empty weight: 142 kg (313 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 239 kg (527 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 277 two stroke, 21 kW (28 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 90 km/h (56 mph, 49 kn)
  • Stall speed: 51 km/h (32 mph, 28 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 132 km/h (82 mph, 71 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 3,962 m (12,999 ft)
  • g limits: ±4.4
  • Wing loading: 26.0 kg/m2 (5.3 lb/sq ft)

References
  1. "Stanton Sunbird Glider". Ashburton Aviation Museum. Ashburton Aviation Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  2. Paull, David (28 February 2012). "American Eaglets of New Zealand". NZ Civil Aircraft. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  3. Paull, David (4 February 2012). "Question time # 146 not resolved". NZ Civil Aircraft. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  4. "Stanton Sunbird". www.all-aero.com. all-aero. 2023. Archived from the original on 27 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.


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