Belite Aircraft Superlite

{{Infobox aircraft | name = Superlite | logo = | logo_size = | image = Belite Trike.jpg | alt = | caption = A Belite Trike | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States of America]] | manufacturer = [[Belite Aircraft]] | design_group = | designer = [[James Wiebe]] | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 10 (2011) | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = [[Denney Kitfox|Kitfox Lite]] | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} [[File:Belite-Superlite.jpg|thumb|right|Belite Superlite]] The '''Belite Superlite,''' originally the product of [[Belite Aircraft]], is a single-seat, [[high-wing]], single-engine [[ultralight aircraft]] developed from the [[Kitfox Lite]] aircraft especially for the United States [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] category.<ref name="flight_review_2011_02_11_kitplanes">[https://www.kitplanes.com/flight-review-return-of-the-ultralight/ "Flight Review Return of the Ultralight"] (Belite aircraft reviewed), February 11, 2011, ''Kitplanes,'' retrieved August 17, 2022</ref><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 32. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="WDLA15">Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 34. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2011">Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, pages 45-46. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref>

==Design and development== Designer James Wiebe bought the assets and tooling of the [[Kitfox Lite]] from Skystar. He modified the prototype Kitfox Lite to meet FAR 103 regulations requiring an ultralight aircraft to have an empty weight of less than {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="flight_review_2011_02_11_kitplanes" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="WDLA15"/><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal|journal=EAA Sport Pilot & Light Sport Aircraft|date=September 2009}}</ref>

The fuselage is made from [[4130 steel]] tubing. [[Flaperon]]s and [[vortex generator]]s are used to improve roll control and low speed flight. The wings are foldable for storage.<ref name="flight_review_2011_02_11_kitplanes" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="WDLA15"/>

Items were substituted with [[carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer]] to make the aircraft lighter than a Kitfox Lite. This included the tailwheel leaf spring, wing spars, wing ribs (aluminum on later kits), [[lift strut]]s, firewall, [[Elevator (aircraft)|elevator]] and fuel tank.<ref name="flight_review_2011_02_11_kitplanes" /><ref name="ReferenceA"/> A variety of engines may be used such as the [[Hirth F33]], [[Hirth F-23]], [[Zanzottera MZ 34]], 1/2 [[Volkswagen air-cooled engine]] and the [[Zanzottera MZ 201]].<ref name="flight_review_2011_02_11_kitplanes" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="WDLA15"/>

==Variants== ;254 :The basic ultralight fuselage design, for powerplants of {{convert|28|to|45|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="flight_review_2011_02_11_kitplanes" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="WDLA15"/><ref>{{cite journal|journal=Kitplanes|date=April 2011}}</ref> ;Superlite :Maximum weight reduction fuselage for larger engines of {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, with an empty weight of {{convert|278|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} when equipped with the [[Hirth F-23]] engine of {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="flight_review_2011_02_11_kitplanes" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="WDLA15"/><ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /> ;Trike :A tricycle gear version of the Superlite, with an empty weight of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} when equipped with the [[Hirth F-33]] engine of {{convert|30|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="flight_review_2011_02_11_kitplanes" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2011" />

==Specifications (Superlite) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Sport Aviation |prime units?=kts  |genhide=

|crew= |capacity=1 |length m= |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m= |span ft=25 |span in=2 |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=254 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=550 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|5|gal}} |more general=*'''[[Ballistic parachute]]:''' Second Chantz system  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Compact Radial MZ-201 |eng1 type=two stroke |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=45

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=55 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=28 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=400 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft=5.56 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics=*Belite Electronics lightweight electronic gauges }}

==Popular culture== A Belite aircraft was used in the show [[List of MythBusters episodes|Mythbusters Episode 174 – Duct Tape Plane]]. A Belite was "mauled" by an artificial bear claw with the damage being limited to the [[Aircraft fabric covering|fabric skin]] of the rear fuselage and [[vertical stabilizer]]. The [[Flight control surfaces|control surfaces]] were not damaged during the destruction. The aircraft was then repaired with [[Duct tape|Duct-Tape]] and successfully flown.<ref>{{cite web|title=Not a Myth: Duct Tape-Covered Plane Flies |url=http://www.youngeagles.org/news/2011%20-%2010_20%20-%20Not%20a%20Myth_%20Duct%20Tape-Covered%20Plane%20Flies.asp|accessdate=28 October 2011}}</ref>

Note: This is not to be confused with [[Speed tape]].

{{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Belite Aircraft Superlite}} *{{Official website|http://www.beliteaircraft.com/}} {{Belite Aircraft}}

[[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]] [[Category:High-wing aircraft]]