Fletcher Hercules

{{Short description|American ultralight airplane}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Hercules | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight trike]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = [[Fletcher's Ultralights]] | design_group = | designer = AW Harrison | builder = | issuer = | status = Production completed | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 25 (February 2000) | 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 = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Fletcher Hercules''' is an American two-seat [[ultralight trike]] that was designed by [[AW Harrison]] and produced by [[Fletcher's Ultralights]] of [[Turlock, California]], in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]] and was also available as a completed aircraft.<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page C-11. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000">Downey, Julia: ''2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 45. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 162. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref>

==Design and development== The Hercules was designed as a lightweight single-seat aircraft, with a second seat available to carry an instructor or passenger when required. Because it was intended to be flown solo most of the time it came factory-supplied with a relatively low powered engine, to reduce both the aircraft's cost and weight. Higher powered engines were available if the aircraft was to be used in the training role on a regular basis.<ref name="Cliche" />

In writing about the Hercules, reviewer Andre Cliche explained the engine choice, "Because most people usually fly alone in their two-seater, it makes for a well balanced single seater with peppy performance, low fuel burn and longer range. However, when comes the time to carry an occasional passenger, its two-seater capacity far outweighs its anemic performance with two people aboard. This is a smart compromise that gives the best of both worlds."<ref name="Cliche" />

The Hercules was designed to comply with the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] rules when flown as a single-seater, including the category's maximum empty weight of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. It features a [[Flying wires|cable-braced]] [[hang glider]]-style [[high-wing]], weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-[[tandem]] open cockpit, [[tricycle landing gear]] and a single engine in [[pusher configuration]].<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />

The aircraft is made from bolted-together [[aluminum]] tubing, with its single surface wing covered in [[Dacron]] sailcloth. Its {{convert|34|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} span wing is supported by a single tube-type [[kingpost]] and uses an "A" frame control bar. The standard wing supplied was the Mustang double-surface wing of {{convert|190|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}. A smaller wing of {{convert|145|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} was available to increase cruising speed at the cost of a higher [[Stall (flight)|stall speed]].<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />

The aircraft has an acceptable installed power range of {{convert|35|to|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. The standard engine supplied was the twin cylinder [[two-stroke]] {{convert|35|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[2si 460-F35]], with the {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] or the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] engines available as options. Other engines used include the {{convert|35|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Cuyuna UL II-02]], {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 447]], {{convert|74|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 618]] and the [[four-stroke]] {{convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[HKS 700E]].<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />

Due to its off-airport capabilities the Hercules was nicknamed "the jeep of trikes". It is noted for its ease of set-up and repair. Twenty-five had been completed and flown by February 2000.<ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" />

==Variants== ;Hercules Cruiser :Version marketed circa 1998 with {{convert|35|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Cuyuna UL II-02]] engine<ref name="Aerocrafter" /> ;Hercules Cross Country :Version marketed circa 1998 with {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] engine<ref name="Aerocrafter" />

==Specifications (version) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche and Kitplanes<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft=9 |length in= |length note= |span m= |span ft=34 |span in= |span note= |height m= |height ft=10 |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=190 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=254 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=600 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|5|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[2si 460-F35]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder [[two-stroke]] |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=35

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=40 |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=85 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=12000 |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=400 |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= }}

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

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:1990s United States ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]]