Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly | logo = | logo_size = | image = Moyes-Bailey Dragonfly.JPG | alt = | caption = Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly 'C' with the [[Rotax 582]] powerplant | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight aviation|Ultralight]] [[glider tug]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = Australia/United States | manufacturer = [[Moyes Microlights]]<br>[[Bailey-Moyes Microlights]]<br>[[LiteFlite]]<br>[[Pitman Air]] | design_group = | designer = [[Bob Bailey (aircraft designer)|Bob Bailey]] | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = more than 100 (2011) | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1990 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} [[File:The Moyes fleet of Dragonflies at Forbes.JPG|thumb|The Moyes fleet at [[Forbes, New South Wales]], Australia]] [[File:Moyes-Bailey Dragonflies Towing.JPG|thumb|Dragonflies towing hang gliders at Forbes, New South Wales, Australia.]] [[File:Dragonfly landing.JPG|thumb|Dragonfly on landing approach]] [[File:Moyes-Bailey Dragonfly Overhead.JPG|thumb|Dragonfly]] [[File:Dragonfly long range fuel tank.JPG|thumb|The Dragonfly's optional 50 Litre fuel tank gives 3 hours endurance]] The '''Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly''' is an Australian-American two-seats-in-[[tandem]], [[high-wing]], [[strut-braced]], open cockpit, [[conventional landing gear]]-equipped [[light-sport aircraft]]. The aircraft has been in production since 1990 and was designed as a special-purpose tug for [[hang glider]]s and [[ultralight sailplane]]s. It is available as a complete aircraft or as a kit for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]]. The aircraft has been variously produced by [[Moyes Microlights]], [[Bailey-Moyes Microlights]] and currently [[LiteFlite]] of [[Botany, New South Wales]], all different iterations of the same company.<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-73. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="LF">{{Cite web|url = http://liteflite.com.au/Default.aspx|title = Welcome to the website of LiteFlite - Home of the Dragonfly|accessdate = 4 February 2011|last = LiteFlite Pty Ltd|authorlink = |year = 2006|archive-date = 17 February 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110217030616/http://www.liteflite.com.au/Default.aspx|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', pages 22-23. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec1998">Downey, Julia: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 57. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2000">Downey, Julia: ''2001 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 32. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2001">Downey, Julia: ''2002 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, page 25. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2003">Newby-Gonzalez, Tori: ''2004 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 12, December 2003, page 67. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2004">Downey, Julia: ''2005 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 69. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 64. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="LFFOM">LiteFlite Pty Ltd (May 2009) ''Flight and Operations Manual - Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly'' (Revision 3)</ref><ref name="WDLA15">Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 67. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref>

==Design and development== The Dragonfly was developed in the late 1980s specifically as a hang glider tug for use in flatland areas where hang glider flying, which usually relies on hill launches, was not possible. This role requires an aircraft that can climb quickly at low speed. The Dragonfly achieves this goal, with a power-off stall speed of {{convert|17|kn|km/h|0|abbr=on}} by using a large area wing of {{convert|170|sqft|m2}} in conjunction with Junkers-style [[flaperon]]s. The takeoff distance required to clear a {{convert|49|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} high obstacle is {{convert|492|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} while flying solo and {{convert|984|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} at maximum weight, on level short dry grass with no wind at 59 °F (15 °C).<ref name="LFFOM"/> The aircraft has been successful as a hang glider tug and is also used for [[livestock mustering]] in its home country, as well as for recreational flying where [[STOL]] capabilities are required.<ref name="Cliche"/><ref name="LF" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2000"/><ref name="KitplanesDec2001"/><ref name="KitplanesDec2003"/><ref name="KitplanesDec2004"/><ref name="WDLA11"/><ref name="WDLA15"/>

The aircraft is constructed of bolted [[6061-T6 aluminium]], with the two seats mounted on a fuselage boom tube that runs from the front rudder pedals to the tail. The landing gear consists of two main wheels on [[41xx steel|chrome molybdenum steel]] gear legs and axles, and a tail wheel configuration. The flexible steel axles work as shock absorbers during taxiing and landing. The tail wheel is steerable by means of the rudder pedals.<ref name="LFFOM" /> The standard [[Rotax 582]] engine is mounted in [[pusher configuration]] behind the wing's [[trailing edge]]. The engine's liquid-cooling allows fast descents while towing, without subjecting the engine cylinders to shock-cooling. The wing is supported by a V-strut and [[jury strut]]s. The wing and tail surfaces are covered in pre-sewn [[Dacron]] envelopes. A unique feature is the extended rudder post, which is supported by steel cables from the wings and used as a tow attachment point. The aircraft is equipped with dual controls for pilot training and the rear seat is removable when not needed. The aircraft takes about 200 hours to assemble from the kit.<ref name="Cliche"/><ref name="WDLA04"/><ref name="KitplanesDec1998"/><ref name="KitplanesDec2000" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2001" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2003" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="WDLA15"/><ref name="LFDF">{{Cite web|url = http://liteflite.com.au/ProductsDragonfly01.aspx|title = Dragonfly|accessdate = 4 February 2011|last = LiteFlite Pty Ltd|authorlink = |year = 2006|archive-date = 17 February 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110217031116/http://www.liteflite.com.au/ProductsDragonfly01.aspx|url-status = dead}}</ref>

The design is a [[Federal Aviation Administration]] approved special [[light-sport aircraft]], produced by [[Pitman Air]] of [[Red Bluff, California]].<ref name="FAASLSA">{{cite web|url = https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/light_sport/media/SLSA_Directory.xlsx|title = SLSA Make/Model Directory|accessdate = 2 March 2017|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|date = 26 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitmanair.com/|title=Pitman Air, Light Sport and Ultralight Aircraft|first= Ed |last=Pitman|work=pitmanair.com|accessdate=6 March 2017}}</ref>

==Operational history== The Dragonfly has been exported to 12 countries, where it is primarily employed as a hang glider tug.<ref name="LFDF"/>

==Variants== ;Dragonfly :Original model powered by a {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] [[two-stroke]] powerplant<ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /> ;Dragonfly C :Improved model powered by a standard {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] [[two-stroke]] engine, with the {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912UL]] [[four-stroke]] powerplant optional. The [[BMW 1100S]] engine can also be used. It can accept engines in a range from {{convert|50|to|115|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="LFFOM" />

==Aircraft on display== *[[Massey Air Museum]], [[Massey, Maryland]], [[United States]]<ref name="Massey">{{cite web|url = http://www.masseyaero.org/airplanes.html|title = Airplanes you can see at the Museum|accessdate = 4 March 2015|last = Massey Air Museum|year = 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150310144415/http://masseyaero.org/airplanes.html|archive-date = 2015-03-10|url-status = dead}}</ref>

==Specifications (Dragonfly) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche and LiteFlite<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="LFFOM" /><ref name="LFDF" /> |prime units?=kts  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft=19 |length in=6 |length note= |span m= |span ft=34 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft=7 |height in=6 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=170 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=233 |empty weight lb= |empty weight note=(typical empty weight with Rotax 582 engine installed) |gross weight kg=450 |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|6|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 582]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]] aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=64

|perfhide= |max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts=40 |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph= |stall speed kts=17 |stall speed note= at minimum weight, power off |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=72 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles=75 |range nmi= |range note=20L tank, no wind |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=16000 |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=700 |climb rate note=at {{convert|32|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, at maximum gross weight |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin=450 |sink rate note=at {{convert|35|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, solo |lift to drag=7:1 |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= *[[Maxair Drifter]] *[[Pterodactyl Ptug]] - another ultralight used for hang glider towing |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{commons category|Moyes Dragonfly}} *{{Official website|http://pitmanair.com/dragonfly/}} *[http://www.airliners.net/photo/LiteFlite-Dragonfly/1815240/&sid=81ac84ab5d1405126bdaa049d8c88e1c Photo of a Dragonfly] {{Moyes aircraft}}

[[Category:1990s Australian ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Moyes Microlights aircraft]]