# Acrolite

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Family of Canadian homebuilt aircraft

Acrolite General information Type Amateur-built aircraft National origin Canada Manufacturer Acrolite Aircraft Designer Ron Wilson Status Plans available (2021) History First flight October 1986

The **Acrolite** is a family of [Canadian](/source/Canada) [amateur-built aircraft](/source/Amateur-built_aircraft), designed by Ron Wilson and produced by [Acrolite Aircraft](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Acrolite_Aircraft&action=edit&redlink=1) of [Kakabeka Falls, Ontario](/source/Kakabeka_Falls%2C_Ontario), in the form of plans for amateur construction.[1][2][3]

## Design and development

The aircraft in the series all feature one or two seats, fixed [conventional landing gear](/source/Conventional_landing_gear) and a single engine in [tractor configuration](/source/Tractor_configuration). The Acrolite [fuselages](/source/Fuselage) are all made from welded [4130 steel](/source/4130_steel) tubing, with wooden structure wings covered in hot laminated [plywood](/source/Plywood) and control surfaces made from [aluminum](/source/Aluminum) sheet. All other surfaces are covered in [doped](/source/Aircraft_dope) [aircraft fabric](/source/Aircraft_fabric). Wing arrangements, cockpit and engines vary by model.[1][2]

[Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co](/source/Aircraft_Spruce_%26_Specialty_Co) supplies plans and materials kits for the Acrolite 1C. The company claims that the 16 [airframe](/source/Airframe)-only materials packages cost under [US$](/source/US%24)10,000.[3]

## Operational history

The Acrolite 1A won a [Canadian Owners and Pilots Association](/source/Canadian_Owners_and_Pilots_Association) "Good Show" award in 1998 and the Acrolite 1B was chosen as one of two finalists in the 1995 Aircraft Spruce & Speciality Scratchbuild Design Contest.[3][4][5]

In March 2017, five examples were [registered](/source/Aircraft_registration) with [Transport Canada](/source/Transport_Canada), although a total of seven had been once registered.[6][7]

## Variants

**Acrolite 1A**
- Single-seat [biplane](/source/Biplane) for the Canadian [basic ultralight](/source/Basic_ultralight) category, first flown in October 1986. Plans no longer available. The prototype was originally powered by a 38 hp (28 kW) [Kawasaki 440](/source/Kawasaki_440) and later by a 40 hp (30 kW) [Rotax 447](/source/Rotax_447) [two-strokes](/source/Two-stroke) powerplant.[4][8]

**Acrolite 1B**
- Single-seat biplane for sportsman [aerobatics](/source/Aerobatics). In addition to the standard wooden wing, optional [2024-T3 aluminum](/source/2024-T3_aluminum) sheet wings can be built. The recommended engine is the 80 hp (60 kW) [Rotax 912UL](/source/Rotax_912UL), although the 64 hp (48 kW) [Rotax 582or](/source/Rotax_582) the 120 hp (89 kW) [Rotax 618](/source/Rotax_618) two-strokes can be used as well.[1][5][8]

**Acrolite 1C**
- Single-seat biplane for sportsman aerobatics, with performance improvements over the 1B. Engines include 64 hp (48 kW) [Rotax 582](/source/Rotax_582), 74 hp (55 kW), [Hirth F30](/source/Hirth_F30) 120 hp (89 kW) [Rotax 618](/source/Rotax_618) two-strokes and the 80 hp (60 kW) [Rotax 912UL](/source/Rotax_912UL), the 100 hp (75 kW) [Rotax 912ULS](/source/Rotax_912ULS) [four-stroke](/source/Four-stroke) powerplant.[1][2][8][9]

**Acrolite 1M**
- Single-seat high-wing, [strut-braced](/source/Strut-braced) [monoplane](/source/Monoplane). Engines include 40 hp (30 kW) [Rotax 447](/source/Rotax_447), 50 hp (37 kW) [Rotax 503](/source/Rotax_503) and the 64 hp (48 kW) [Rotax 582](/source/Rotax_582) two-strokes or other similar powerplants. Acrolight Aircraft reports that no prototype has been completed or flown by September 2012.[8][10]

**Acrolite 1T**
- Single-seat [triplane](/source/Triplane) for sportsman aerobatics, with wings covered with [epoxy](/source/Epoxy) [fiberglass](/source/Fiberglass) sheet or optionally plywood. [Ailerons](/source/Aileron) are only fitted to the middle wing. Engines include 40 hp (30 kW) [Rotax 447](/source/Rotax_447), 50 hp (37 kW) [Rotax 503](/source/Rotax_503) and the 64 hp (48 kW) [Rotax 582](/source/Rotax_582) two-stroke powerplants.[1][2][8][11]

**Acrolite 2M**
- Two seats in [tandem](/source/Tandem), high-wing strut-braced [monoplane](/source/Monoplane) intended for the Canadian [advanced ultralight](/source/Advanced_ultralight) category and American [light-sport aircraft](/source/Light-sport_aircraft) category, first flown in June 1994. Engines include 64 hp (48 kW) [Rotax 582](/source/Rotax_582), 74 hp (55 kW) [Rotax 618](/source/Rotax_618) two-strokes and the 80 hp (60 kW) [Rotax 912UL](/source/Rotax_912UL) and 85 hp (63 kW) [Jabiru 2200](/source/Jabiru_2200) four-stroke powerplants. As of August 2012, the design does not appear on the [Federal Aviation Administration](/source/Federal_Aviation_Administration)'s list of approved special light-sport aircraft or on Transport Canada's list of advanced ultralights.[1][2][8][12][13][14]

## Specifications (Acrolite 1C)

*Data from* Bayerl and Acrolite Aircraft[1][9][15]

**General characteristics**

- **Crew:** one

- **Length:** 5.2 m (17 ft)

- **Wingspan:** 6.09 m (20 ft 0 in)

- **Height:** 1.8 m (6 ft)

- **Wing area:** 12.36 m2 (133.0 sq ft)

- **[Aspect ratio](/source/Aspect_ratio_(aeronautics)):** 8:1

- **[Airfoil](/source/Airfoil):** GA30U-212 semi-symmetrical airfoil or, optionally a GA30U-012 fully symmetrical

- **Empty weight:** 205 kg (452 lb)

- **Gross weight:** 362 kg (798 lb)

- **Fuel capacity:** 34 litres (7.5 imp gal; 9.0 US gal)

- **Powerplant:** 1 × [Rotax 912UL](/source/Rotax_912UL) four cylinder, liquid and air-cooled, [four stroke](/source/Four_stroke) [aircraft engine](/source/Aircraft_engine), 60 kW (80 hp)

**Performance**

- **Maximum speed:** 210 km/h (130 mph, 110 kn)

- **Cruise speed:** 176 km/h (109 mph, 95 kn)

- **Stall speed:** 72 km/h (45 mph, 39 kn)

- **[Never exceed speed](/source/V_speeds#VNE):** 260 km/h (160 mph, 140 kn)

- **Range:** 400 km (250 mi, 220 nmi)

- **g limits:** +6/-4

- **Rate of climb:** 9 m/s (1,800 ft/min)

- **Wing loading:** 29.3 kg/m2 (6.0 lb/sq ft)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-6) Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: *World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12*, pages 89-90. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1368-485X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1368-485X)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-WDLA15_2-4) Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: *World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16*, pages 91. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1368-485X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1368-485X)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Spruce_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Spruce_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Spruce_3-2) [Aircraft Spruce and Specialty](/source/Aircraft_Spruce_and_Specialty) (2012). ["Acrolite"](https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/kitspages/acrolite.php). Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Acrolite1A_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Acrolite1A_4-1) Acrolite Aircraft. ["The Original Acrolite Biplane"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120317000111/http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1a.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1a.htm) on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Acrolite1B_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Acrolite1B_5-1) Acrolite Aircraft. ["General Description of the Acrolite 1B Light Aircraft"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121104045811/http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1b.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1b.htm) on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TCCAR_6-0)** [Transport Canada](/source/Transport_Canada) (28 March 2017). ["Canadian Civil Aircraft Register"](http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/RchSimpRes.aspx?cn=%7c%7c&mn=%7cACROLITE%7c&sn=%7c%7c&on=%7c%7c&m=%7c%7c). Retrieved 28 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TCCARH_7-0)** [Transport Canada](/source/Transport_Canada) (28 March 2017). ["Canadian Civil Aircraft Register History Search Result"](http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/RchHsRes.aspx?st=2&m=%7c%7c&cn=%7cACROLITE%7c&mn=%7c%7c&sn=%7c%7c&cnn=%7c%7c&tn=%7c%7c&ln=%7c%7c&fn=%7c%7c&rfr2=RchHs.aspx). Retrieved 28 March 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Acrolite_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Acrolite_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Acrolite_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Acrolite_8-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Acrolite_8-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Acrolite_8-5) Acrolite Aircraft (1999). ["Ron Wilson design Acrolite Aircraft"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120514040239/http://www.acrolite.ca/). Archived from [the original](http://www.acrolite.ca/) on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Acrolite1CSpecs_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Acrolite1CSpecs_9-1) Acrolite Aircraft. ["Acrolite 1C Light Aircraft"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113754/http://www.acrolite.ca/ac1cspecs.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.acrolite.ca/ac1cspecs.htm) on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Acrolite1M_10-0)** Acrolite Aircraft. ["General Description of the Acrolite 1M Light Aircraft"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121104050005/http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1m.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1m.htm) on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Acrolite1T_11-0)** Acrolite Aircraft. ["General Description of the Acrolite 1T Light Aircraft"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121104050052/http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1t.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1t.htm) on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Acrolite2M_12-0)** Acrolite Aircraft (n.d.). ["General Description of the 2 place Acrolite 2M Light Aircraft"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120615064132/http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite2m.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite2m.htm) on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FAASLSA_13-0)** [Federal Aviation Administration](/source/Federal_Aviation_Administration) (21 June 2012). ["SLSA Make/Model Directory"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130516004527/http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/light_sport/media/SLSA_Directory.xls). Archived from [the original](http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/light_sport/media/SLSA_Directory.xls) on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AULA_14-0)** [Transport Canada](/source/Transport_Canada) (15 August 2012). ["Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)"](http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-ccarcs-advancedullist-2036.htm). Retrieved 16 September 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Acrolite1C_15-0)** Acrolite Aircraft (n.d.). ["General Description of the Acrolite Model 1C Biplane"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121104061346/http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1c.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.acrolite.ca/acrolite1c.htm) on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.acrolite.org/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Acrolite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrolite) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrolite?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.