Chip Erwin and the TrueLite Mow the Lawn — And Then Go Flying! (UPDATED AGAIN!)

marc

Tuesday, June 04, 2024 at 04:42 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The TrueLite ultralight, marketed by Chip Erwin's Aeromarine, has successfully completed its first flights in Florida, progressing from earlier taxi tests.
Chip Erwin documented these initial flights, presenting the TrueLite as an intriguing option for lightweight, "pure flying."
Minor issues noted during previous taxi tests, such as engine temperature and airspeed readings, were addressed or explained as part of the development process leading to successful flight.

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In our original post, we linked to video of the TrueLite performing taxi tests. Now it’s done better: flying! See the new videos below as Chip Erwin documents the first flights of the TrueLite happening now in Florida.

Those of us looking for pure flying in lightweight form can’t help but be intrigued by the TrueLite ultralight, marketed here by Chip Erwin’s Aeromarine company. “The taxi test went fine. I didn’t have any airspeed reading so I’ll have to see what’s going on there,” Erwin says in the video. While the 36 hp Vittorazzi Cosmos 300 ran a bit hot during the taxi tests, he feels it was because it sat idling for 5 minutes before the test, saying that it cooled down once he got moving.

Here’s a sampling of videos related to the TrueLite.