Bell Sidewinder

{{Short description|American ultralight aircraft}} {{Use American English|date=March 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Sidewinder | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = | design_group = | designer = Fred Bell | builder = | issuer = | status = Production completed | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | 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 = [[Phantom X1]] | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Bell Sidewinder''' is an American [[ultralight aircraft]], supplied as a kit for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]].<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page E-33 and 37. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref>

==Design and development== The Sidewinder is a copy of the [[Phantom X1]] that was built by former [[Phantom Aeronautics]] employee Fred Bell. It was designed to comply with the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of {{convert|250|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. It features a [[Flying wires|cable-braced]] [[high-wing]], a single-seat, open cockpit, [[tricycle landing gear]] and a single engine in [[tractor configuration]].<ref name="Cliche" />

The aircraft is made from bolted-together [[aluminum]] tubing, with the flying surfaces covered in [[Dacron]] sailcloth. The Sidewinder differs from the X1 in having [[Flap (aircraft)|flaps]]. Its {{convert|30|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} span wing is cable-braced from an inverted "V" [[kingpost]] mounted on top of the wing. The [[landing gear]] has suspension on all wheels and features a steerable nosewheel, plus main wheel brakes. The pilot is accommodated on an open seat, partially enclosed by a [[fibreglass]] [[Aircraft fairing|fairing]] with a windshield. The standard engine provided was the [[Kawasaki TA 440A]] [[snowmobile]] powerplant of {{convert|37|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Cliche" />

==Specifications (Sidewinder) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche<ref name="Cliche" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=16 |length in=6 |length note= |span m= |span ft=30 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft=7 |height in=10 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=154 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=250 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=500 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|5|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Kawasaki TA 440A]] |eng1 type=Twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]] snowmobile engine, with a 2.3:1 belt reduction drive |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=37

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=60 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=50 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=26 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=100 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=14500 |ceiling note= |g limits=+6/-4 (calculated) |roll rate= |glide ratio=7:1 |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=800 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin=490 |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft=3.25 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent  |see also= |related= *[[Worldwide Ultralite Spitfire]] |similar aircraft= |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:1980s United States ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]] [[Category:Parasol-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]