<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. --> {{Infobox aircraft | name = Earthstar Thunder Gull | logo = | logo_size = | image = Earthstar Aircraft Thunder Gull Odyssey 02.jpg | alt = | caption = Earthstar Thunder Gull Odyssey | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = [[Earthstar Aircraft]] | design_group = | designer = Mark Beierle | builder = | issuer = | status = In production (2012) | 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 = 1987 (Thunder Gull) | retired = | first_flight = March 1987 (Thunder Gull) | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} [[File:Earthstar Aircraft Thunder Gull 2000 01.JPG|thumb|right|Gull 2000 on skis]] [[File:Earthstar Thunder Gull Odyssey 01.JPG|thumb|right|Thunder Gull Odyssey]] [[File:Earthstar Aircraft Thunder Gull Odyssey 03.jpg|thumb|right|Thunder Gull Odyssey showing the unusual staggered side-by-side seating arrangement]] The '''Earthstar Thunder Gull''' is a family of cantilever [[high-wing]], [[tricycle gear]] [[ultralight aircraft]], manufactured by [[Earthstar Aircraft]] of [[Santa Margarita, California]] as a kit for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]] or as a completed aircraft.<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, pages B-61 & B-107. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', pages 148 and 307. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec1998">Downey, Julia: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 44. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2000">Downey, Julia: ''2001 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 44. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2001">Downey, Julia: ''2002 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, pages 33-34. 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 55. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2007">Downey, Julia: ''2008 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 49. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="EarthstarModels">{{Cite web|url = http://www.thundergull.com/Models.htm|title = Models|accessdate = 25 January 2011|last = Earthstar Aircraft|date = n.d.}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2011">Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 51. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref>
==Design and development== Designer Mark Beierle's original goals were an "airplane with the feel of a hang glider, the agility and visibility of a helicopter, the effortless smooth flight of a sailplane, and the utility and economy of a general aviation aircraft--all in the hopes of getting close to the feel and freedom of a bird." When queried by interviewer Don Downie if that was too much to ask, Beierle replied, "You bet! But it didn't stop me from trying."<ref name="DownieJune2000">{{Cite news|url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-61962801/gull-report-flying-building.html|title = The Gull Report.(flying building Ultralight aircraft personal narratives)|accessdate = 26 January 2011|last = Downie|first = Don|date=June 2000| work = KitPlanes}}</ref>
The Thunder Gull was introduced in 1987 as a development of the earlier ''Laughing Gull''. The aircraft was quite revolutionary when it was introduced due to its high performance and particularly high cruise speed of {{convert|55|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} on just {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Cliche" />
The aircraft is constructed from aluminum tubing and sheet parts and covered in [[aircraft fabric]]. The aircraft can meet the requirements of the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] category, including its maximum empty weight limitation of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} when it is equipped with a lightweight engine.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="WDLA15">Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 44. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref>
The aircraft has a very small wing for the US ultralight category with a wing area of only {{convert|95|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} and a wingspan of {{convert|17.6|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}. The wing is equipped with [[Flap (aircraft)|flaps]] that give it a stall speed of {{convert|25|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. The small wing gives the aircraft a high cruise speed and better resistance to turbulence than a lighter-loaded wing. The one-piece wing is quickly removable for storage or transport.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" />
Reported construction time of the kit is 150 hours.<ref name="Cliche" />
==Operational history== The prototype Laughing Gull was flown coast-to-coast across the USA seven times with {{convert|100|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} of baggage and a {{convert|180|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} pilot.<ref name="Aerocrafter" />
==Variants== ;Laughing Gull :Original model introduced in 1976. First models had wire bracing and later [[strut]]-bracing before development of the cantilever wing. Production completed.<ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="DownieJune2000" /> ;Thunder Gull :Single-seat, high-wing ultralight aircraft with a cantilever {{convert|17.6|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wing. The name was changed from ''Laughing Gull'' for marketing purposes. Production completed.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="DownieJune2000" /> ;Thunder Gull J :Improved model with {{convert|20|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wingspan. Standard engine is the {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 277]] and the acceptable power range is {{convert|28|to|53|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. First flight was March 1987 and it was available as a kit or ready-to-fly. Production completed.<ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2000" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2001" /> ;Thunder Gull JT2 :Two seats in [[tandem]] model with dual controls and a {{convert|24|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wingspan. Standard engine is the {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] and the acceptable power range is {{convert|40|to|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. The {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] and {{convert|75|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 618]] two-stroke engines were optional. It was available as a kit or ready-to-fly and production is completed. First flight was June 1989.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2000" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2001" /> ;Thunder Gull Odyssey :Two seats in an unusual staggered [[side-by-side configuration]] with dual controls in the form of a shared center stick and a {{convert|26|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wingspan. The staggered seating was used to provide most of the benefits of side-by-side seating without the associated drag penalty. The seat stagger is sufficient to provide pilot shoulder clearance. Standard engine is the {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] and the acceptable power range is {{convert|40|to|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. The {{convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[HKS 700E]] has also been installed. It first flew in April 1995 and was introduced at [[Sun 'n Fun]] in 1995. It is available as a kit or ready-to-fly. Fifteen were reported completed by December 2011 and still in production in 2012.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2000" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2001" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2003" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /><ref name="EarthstarModels" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /><ref name="DownieJune2000" /><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 43. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref> An [[electric aircraft]] version has been flown.<ref name="WDLA15"/> ;Soaring Gull :[[Motorglider]] version with {{convert|28|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wingspan and 16:1 glide ratio. Standard engine was the {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 277]] and then later the {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Hirth F-33]]. The acceptable power range is {{convert|28|to|53|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. First flew in November 1993. Ten reported as completed by December 2011 and still in production in 2012.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2000" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2001" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /><ref name="EarthstarModels" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /><ref name="WDLA11" /> ;Gull 2000 :Updated version with {{convert|20|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wingspan, wider cockpit enclosure built from [[fiberglass]]. Standard engine was the [[Zanzottera MZ 34]] of {{convert|27|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and then later the {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Hirth F-33]]. The acceptable power range is {{convert|27|to|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. Fifteen reported as completed by December 2011 and still in production in 2012.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2000" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2001" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2003" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /><ref name="EarthstarModels" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /><ref name="WDLA11" /> ;eGull 2000 :Electric powered variant [[File:EGull2000Flight.jpg|thumb|right|eGull 2000 in flight]] [[File:EGull2000.jpg|thumb|right|eGull 2000, an electric-powered variant]] <!-- ==Units using this aircraft/Operators (choose)== -->
==Specifications (Thunder Gull) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche<ref name="Cliche" /> |prime units?=imp<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> <!-- General characteristics --> |genhide=
|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=17 |length in=3 |length note= |span m= |span ft=17 |span in=7 |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=95 |wing area note= |aspect ratio=<!-- give where relevant eg sailplanes --> |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=252 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=550 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity=5 US Gallons (19 Litres) |more general= <!-- Powerplant --> |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 277]] |eng1 type= |eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |eng1 hp=28<!-- prop engines -->
|prop blade number=2<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop name=wooden |prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop note= <!-- Performance --> |perfhide=
|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=63 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=55 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh=<!-- aerobatic --> |stall speed mph=25 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note=flaps down |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles=165 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance=<!-- if range unknown --> |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=14000 |ceiling note= |g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> |roll rate=<!-- aerobatic --> |glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=700 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms=<!-- sailplanes --> |sink rate ftmin=<!-- sailplanes --> |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |disk loading kg/m2= |disk loading lb/sqft= |disk loading note=
|power/mass= |thrust/weight=
|more performance= <!-- Armament --> |armament=<!-- add (bulleted list) here or if you want to use the following specific parameters, remove this parameter--> |guns= |bombs= |rockets= |missiles=
|hardpoints= |hardpoint capacity= |hardpoint rockets= |hardpoint missiles= |hardpoint bombs= |hardpoint other=
|other armament=
|avionics= }}
==See also== {{aircontent <!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. --> |see also= |related=<!-- related developments --> |similar aircraft= *[[Danieli Piuma]] *[[Excalibur Aircraft Excalibur]] *[[Quad City Challenger]] *[[Titan Tornado]] |lists=<!-- related lists --> }}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Official website|http://www.thundergull.com/}}
[[Category:1980s United States ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:High-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1987]] [[Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear]] [[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]