Chotia Weedhopper

{{Short description|American ultralight airplane}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name=Chotia Weedhopper | image=Unknown AX2.jpg | caption=Weedhopper | type=[[Ultralight aircraft]] | national_origin=[[United States]] | manufacturer=[[Weedhopper Aircraft]] | designer=[[John Chotia]] | first_flight= | introduction=1977 | retired= | status=Production completed | primary_user= | more_users=  | produced= 1977-2012 | number_built=13,000 (2007)<ref name="KitplanesDec2007"/> | developed_from= | variants=[[Chotia Woodhopper]]<br />[[Cyclone AX2000]]<br />[[Flylab Tucano]]<br />[[Raj Hamsa X-Air]] }}

The '''Weedhopper''' is an American [[high-wing]], [[tractor configuration]], [[tricycle gear]], two-axis control [[Ultralight aviation|ultralight aircraft]] originally developed by John Chotia during the height of the 1970s ultralight boom and introduced in 1977. When it was in production the aircraft was sold as a kit for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]] and could be assembled in 25-30 man-hours.<ref name="KitplanesDec2007">Downey, Julia: ''2008 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 80. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-64 and B-111. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="Weedspecs">{{Cite web|url = http://www.weedhopperusa.net/WEEDHOPPERUSA/Weedhopper_40_Model.html|title = Weedhopper Model 40|accessdate = 1 February 2011|last = Weedhopper Aircraft|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071002161932/http://www.weedhopperusa.net/WEEDHOPPERUSA/Weedhopper_40_Model.html|archive-date= 2 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 294. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref><ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 167. 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 76. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2000">Downey, Julia: ''2001 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 82. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2001">Downey, Julia: ''2002 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, page 55. 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 65. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2004">Downey, Julia: ''2005 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 88. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref>

By early 2013 the company website had been blanked and put up for sale and it is likely that the company has closed and production ended.<ref name="archives">{{cite web|url= http://www.weedhopperusa.net/|title= Weedhopper|access-date= 15 November 2020|author= Weedhopper Aircraft |work= weedhopperusa.net|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130719075832/http://weedhopperusa.net/|archive-date= 19 July 2013|url-status= dead}}</ref>

==Design and development== Many of the early ultralights used a "weight shift" method of control, requiring the pilot to push a control bar to shift the [[center of gravity]] of the aircraft. The Weedhopper differed from most other ultralights of the period in that it has a control stick which moves the rudder and elevator, giving it two axis control in pitch and yaw. The pronounced [[dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral]] of the wings, along with the swept [[leading edge]] causes it to bank into the turn, and results in a very stable, easy-to-fly aircraft. The Weedhopper differs from many of the other early ultralights in that it had a [[strut-braced]] wing, whereas most period ultralights have wire-braced wings.<ref name="Cliche" />

The Weedhopper is constructed from [[aluminium]] tubing and covered with [[Dacron]] pre-sewn envelopes. The early versions of the aircraft developed a poor reputation due to the lack of reliable engines available in the 1970s. This was rectified with the adoption of the [[Rotax 277]] {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and later the [[Rotax 447]] {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} powerplant.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 127. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref>

Over 13,000 Weedhoppers have been sold. It was popular because it offered people an inexpensive way to fly for pleasure. The aircraft could be easily disassembled and put on a trailer for home storage. It was not necessary to rent an expensive hangar. It could also be flown from just about any field because of its short takeoff and landing requirements (about {{convert|100|ft|}} with no obstacles). The kits originally sold for $2,000, and in 2011 the Weedhopper model 40 sold for [[United States dollar|US$]]8,495.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /><ref name="WeedHome">{{Cite web|url = http://www.weedhopperusa.net/|title = Weedhopper Aircraft|accessdate = 1 February 2011|last = Weedhopper Aircraft |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110724130558/http://www.weedhopperusa.net/|archive-date= 24 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In its home country versions of the aircraft are eligible for the [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] category, the [[Homebuilt aircraft|experimental amateur-built category]] and the [[light-sport aircraft]] category.<ref name="KitplanesDec2004" />

==Variants== ;Weedhopper A :Initial production version, also known as the ''JC-24A''. ;Weedhopper B :Improved production version, also known as the ''JC-24B''. ;Weedhopper C :Improved production version, also known as the ''JC-24C''.<ref name="Resourcesite">{{Cite web|url = http://www.jc-24c.com/weedhopper/Welcome.html|title = Weedhopper-C Resource Site|accessdate = 1 February 2011|website = jc-24c.com|date = n.d.|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214924/http://www.jc-24c.com/weedhopper/Welcome.html|archive-date = 3 March 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref> ;Weedhopper Standard :Basic model with a {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 277]] engine and an empty weight of {{convert|235|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} for the US amateur-built category.<ref name="KitplanesDec2003" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /> ;Weedhopper Deluxe :Improved production model with a {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 447]] engine.<ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2000" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2001" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /> ;Weedhopper 40 :Current production model with a {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 447 engine.<ref name="Weedspecs" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2003" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /> ;Weedhopper Super :Up-engined model with a {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] engine, many extras and an empty weight of {{convert|330|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} for the US amateur-built category.<ref name="KitplanesDec2003" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /> ;Weedhopper II :Current production two seat [[side-by-side seating]] model with a {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 503 engine. Also known as the ''Weedhopper Two Place''.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2003" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /><ref name="WeedIIspecs">{{Cite web|url = http://www.weedhopperusa.net/WEEDHOPPERUSA/2-Place_Weedhopper.html|title = Weedhopper two place airplane|accessdate = 1 February 2011|last = Weedhopper Aircraft |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120217114239/http://www.weedhopperusa.net/WEEDHOPPERUSA/2-Place_Weedhopper.html|archive-date= 17 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Aircraft on display== [[File:Weedhopper JC-24C.jpg|right|thumb|Weedhopper JC-24C in the [[National Air and Space Museum]].]] *[[National Air and Space Museum]]

==Specifications (Weedhopper Model 40)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Weedhopper Aircraft<ref name="Weedspecs" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|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=20 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=65 |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=1000 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics=* none }}

==Comparable aircraft== *[[AmEagle American Eaglet]] *[[Avid Champion]] *[[Beaujon Enduro]] *[[Beaujon Mach .07]] *[[Birdman TL-1]] *[[Pterodactyl Ascender]] *[[Mitchell U-2 Superwing]] *[[Ultraflight Lazair]] *[[Eipper Quicksilver]]

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

==External links== {{commons category|Chotia Weedhopper}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.weedhopperusa.net/ Official website archives]

[[Category:1970s United States ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Light-sport aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]] [[Category:High-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear]] [[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]