Quicksilver GT500

{{Short description|American ultralight aircraft}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Use American English|date=November 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Quicksilver GT500 | logo = | logo_size = | image = Quicksilver GT-500 E017UF.JPG | alt = | caption = GT500 | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Kit aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = [[Quicksilver Manufacturing]] | design_group = | designer = David Cronk | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 450 (GT500 2011) | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = 1990-present | introduction = 1990 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Quicksilver GT500''' is a family of [[United States|American]] [[strut-braced]], [[high-wing]], [[pusher configuration]], [[tricycle gear]] aircraft built by [[Quicksilver Aeronautics]] of [[Temecula, California]]. The aircraft is available as a kit for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]] or as a completed ready-to-fly aircraft.<ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="WDLA15"/>

==Design and development== The GT500 was developed specifically for the [[United States|US]] Sportplane class of the [[primary aircraft category]] (Part 21.24 of the [[Federal Aviation Regulations]]) and, on 26 July 1994, became the first aircraft certified in that category. Reviewer Noel Bertrand wrote, "[It] may sound like a very dry achievement, but actually speaks volumes for its design integrity. Not surprisingly its flight behaviour is excellent."<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="QSAircraft" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="TA1CH">{{Cite web|url = http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/ebc88adc34d931248525673d00547665/$FILE/ta1ch.pdf|title = Type Certificate Data Sheet No. TA1CH|access-date = 9 February 2011|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|date = June 1995|archive-date = July 21, 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721035615/http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/ebc88adc34d931248525673d00547665/$FILE/ta1ch.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref>

The aircraft's nomenclature is unclear as the manufacturer refers to it variously as the ''GT500'', ''GT 500'' and the ''GT-500''. The FAA certification officially calls it the ''GT500''.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="QSAircraft" /><ref name="QSGT500" />

The GT500 is constructed from [[aluminium]] tubing, bolted together. The aircraft is covered in pre-sewn [[Dacron]] envelopes, with the forward [[fuselage]] made from [[fiberglass]]. The wing features half-span [[aileron]]s and half-span [[flap (aircraft)|flaps]]. The GT500 has two seats in [[tandem]], with dual controls featuring control columns with [[Yoke (aircraft)|yokes]].<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="WDLA11" /> A 1991 upgrade included optional doors that are [[zipper]]ed into place adding {{convert|10|kn|km/h|0|abbr=on}} of cruise speed, steel landing gear legs with dual brakes and an electric starter.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Air Progress|date=April 1991|title=Quicksilver updates|author=Jim Thompson}}</ref>

== Accidents and incidents == * August 3, 2025 - Indonesian Air Force officer and pilot [[Fajar Adriyanto]] died when a Quicksilver GT500 of the Indonesian Aero Sport Federation (FASI) registration PK-S126 crashed into a field in Benteng Village, Ciampea District, Bogor Regency. Fajar and a co-pilot were on board. Fajar died in the crash. <ref>{{Cite web |date=3 August 2025 |title=‘Red Wolf’ F-16 Pilot and Former Air Force Spokesman Dies in Ultralight Aircraft Crash |url=https://jakartaglobe.id/news/red-wolf-f16-pilot-and-former-air-force-spokesman-dies-in-ultralight-aircraft-crash |access-date=6 August 2025 |website=Jakarta Globe}}</ref>

==Variants== ;GT400 :Single-seat version equipped with a {{convert|40|hp|kW|0}} [[Rotax 447]] [[two-stroke]] or {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] two-stroke engine. Standard empty weight is {{convert|276|lb|kg|0}} and gross weight is {{convert|570|lb|kg|0}}. Originally marketed as the ''GT''. Estimated construction time from the kit is 70 hours and 530 had been completed and flown by 2011.<ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2000" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2001" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2003" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="QSGT400">{{Cite web|url = http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/gt400.htm|title = GT 400|access-date = 9 February 2011|last = Quicksilver Manufacturing|date = n.d.|archive-date = December 23, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043553/http://quicksilveraircraft.com/gt400.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> ;GT500 :Two-seats-in-tandem version powered by a {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] two-stroke or an {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912UL]] [[four-stroke]]. The now out-of-production {{convert|74|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 618]] [[two-stroke]] was a previously available option. Other options include floats, a ballistic parachute system and [[crop dusting]] system. Estimated construction time from the kit is 185 hours and 450 had been completed and flown by 2011. The GT500 is certified in the US primary aircraft category, but only when equipped with the Rotax 582 powerplant.<ref name="KitplanesDec2011" /><ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="QSGT500" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2000" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2001" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2003" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2004" /><ref name="KitplanesDec2007" /><ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="TA1CH" />

==Specifications (GT500) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=''Manufacturer<ref name="QSGT500" /> and Type Certificate<ref name="TA1CH" />'' |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft=20 |length in=5 |length note= |span m= |span ft=30 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft=6 |height in=6 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=155 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=575 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=1000 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|16|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 582]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=64

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=88 |max speed kts= |max speed note=with doors installed |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=79 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note=with doors installed |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=39 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note=flaps down, power off |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=103 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles=215 |range nmi= |range note=with doors installed |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=12500 |ceiling note= |g limits=+6.0/-3.0 ultimate |roll rate= |glide ratio=7.5:1 with doors installed |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=650 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft=6.45 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= *[[Spectrum Beaver]] *[[Birdman Chinook]] |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist|30em|refs= <ref name="KitplanesDec2011">Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 67. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref> <ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-95. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref> <ref name="QSAircraft">{{Cite web|url = http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/aircraft.htm|title = Aircraft|access-date = 9 February 2011|last = Quicksilver Manufacturing|date = n.d.|archive-date = December 23, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101223040917/http://quicksilveraircraft.com/aircraft.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> <ref name="QSGT500">{{Cite web|url = http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/gt500.htm|title = GT500|access-date = 9 February 2011|last = Quicksilver Manufacturing|date = n.d.|archive-date = December 23, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043346/http://quicksilveraircraft.com/gt500.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> <ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 228. 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 155. 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 64. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref> <ref name="KitplanesDec2000">Downey, Julia: ''2001 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 69. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851</ref> <ref name="KitplanesDec2001">Downey, Julia: ''2002 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, pages 61 and 85. 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 74. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref> <ref name="KitplanesDec2004">Downey, Julia: ''2005 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 75. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref> <ref name="KitplanesDec2007">Downey, Julia: ''2008 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 67. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref> <ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 70. 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 75. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref> }}

==External links== {{Commons category|Quicksilver GT-500}} *[http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/gt400.php Official GT400 website] *[http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/gt500.php Official GT500 website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231413/http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/7/3/7/1831737.jpg Photo of GT400] {{Quicksilver Aircraft}}

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