Micro Aviation B22 Bantam

{{Short description|New Zealand ulatralight aircraft}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = B22 Bantam | logo = | logo_size = | image = File:Micro Aviation B22J Bantam - WOW Flight School1.jpg | alt = | caption = B22J Bantam | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[New Zealand]] | manufacturer = [[Micro Aviation NZ]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In production (2012) | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = More than 300 (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 = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Micro Aviation B22 Bantam''' is a [[New Zealand]] [[ultralight aircraft]], designed and produced by [[Micro Aviation NZ]] of [[Hamilton, New Zealand]] and later of [[Mandeville, New Zealand]]. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.<ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 65. 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 68. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref>

==Design and development== The aircraft complies with the [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale]] microlight rules as well as the United Kingdom BCAR Section "S" regulations. It features a [[strut-braced]] [[high-wing]], a two-seats-in-[[side-by-side configuration]] enclosed cockpit, fixed [[tricycle landing gear]] and a single engine in [[tractor configuration]].<ref name="WDLA11"/><ref name="WDLA15"/>

The aircraft is made from bolted-together [[aluminum]] tubing, with its flying surfaces covered in [[Dacron]] sailcloth. Its {{convert|9.03|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has an area of {{convert|15.1|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and is supported by V-struts and [[jury struts]]. The engine is mounted above the cockpit on the forward end of the main keel tube. Standard engines available are the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] [[two-stroke]] and the {{convert|85|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Jabiru 2200]] [[four-stroke]] powerplant.<ref name="WDLA11"/><ref name="WDLA15"/>

==Operational history== Two Bantams are in use by park rangers in [[Kruger National Park]] in [[South Africa]].<ref>[http://www.sanparks.org/docs/groups_tenders/2014/short_term_insurance/executive-summary-aviation.pdf "AVIATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF INSURANCES"], Page 6, www.sanparks.org</ref><ref>[http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=1909 "KNP rangers will fly to stop the slaughter"]</ref> Total production has exceeded 300 aircraft.<ref name="WDLA11"/><ref name="WDLA15"/>

The ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation'' reviewed the Bantam and described it as "a simple practical aircraft characterized by its agility, vice-free handling and ease of maintenance."<ref name="WDLA11"/><ref name="WDLA15"/>

==Variants== ;B22J :Higher powered version<ref name="Products">{{cite web|url=http://www.microaviation.co.nz/products.php |title=Products |publisher=Microaviation.co.nz |date= |accessdate=2012-08-01}}</ref> ;B22S : Standard model<ref name="Products" />

==Specifications (B22J Bantam) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Bayerl & Tacke<ref name="WDLA11"/><ref name="WDLA15"/> |prime units?=met  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m=9.03 |span ft= |span in= |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm=15.1 |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=215 |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg=430 |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|50|L}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Jabiru 2200]]A |eng1 type=four cylinder, air-cooled, [[four stroke]] [[aircraft engine]] |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=80

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=150 |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh=120 |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh=55 |stall speed mph= |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=3.4 |climb rate ftmin= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2=28.5 |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.microaviation.co.nz/products.php}}

[[Category:1980s New Zealand ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]] [[Category:New Zealand design]]