The American Eaglet is a self-launching sailplane designed to eliminate the need for two planes, ground crews, and the requirement to operate out of a regular glider port. Its in-air-restartable engine reduces the need for off-field landings. The wings and inverted-V tailfeathers are built from spruce spars surrounded by urethane foam and covered with precured fiberglass skins. The fuselage is comprised of two preformed fiberglass shells pop-riveted to an aluminum-tube framework and tailboom. The Eaglet’s powerplant is not designed for sustained powered flight. The MC 101 engine and folding propeller are provided for takeoff, in-flight restarts, and climbs only. Fuel tank capacity is five gallons and is generally sufficient for one takeoff and climb to 2,000 feet AGL and three airborne restarts and climbs from 500 feet back up to 2,000 feet.
AmEAGLE “AMERICAN EAGLET”
Key Takeaways:
- The American Eaglet is a self-launching sailplane designed to simplify glider operations by eliminating the need for tow planes, ground crews, and specific glider ports, further aided by an in-air-restartable engine.
- Its construction features spruce spars, urethane foam, and fiberglass skins for the wings and tail, with a fiberglass fuselage built on an aluminum-tube framework.
- The engine and folding propeller are strictly for takeoff, climbs, and in-flight restarts, not sustained powered flight, with its 5-gallon fuel tank supporting one initial climb and three airborne restarts.
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