# Quicksilver GT500

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American ultralight aircraft

Quicksilver GT500 GT500 General information Type Kit aircraft National origin United States Manufacturer Quicksilver Manufacturing Designer David Cronk Status In production Number built 450 (GT500 2011) History Manufactured 1990-present Introduction date 1990

The **Quicksilver GT500** is a family of [American](/source/United_States) [strut-braced](/source/Strut-braced), [high-wing](/source/High-wing), [pusher configuration](/source/Pusher_configuration), [tricycle gear](/source/Tricycle_gear) aircraft built by [Quicksilver Aeronautics](/source/Quicksilver_Aeronautics) of [Temecula, California](/source/Temecula%2C_California). The aircraft is available as a kit for [amateur construction](/source/Homebuilt_aircraft) or as a completed ready-to-fly aircraft.[1][2]

## Design and development

The GT500 was developed specifically for the [US](/source/United_States) Sportplane class of the [primary aircraft category](/source/Primary_aircraft_category) (Part 21.24 of the [Federal Aviation Regulations](/source/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."[3][4][5][6]

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*.[3][4][7]

The GT500 is constructed from [aluminium](/source/Aluminium) tubing, bolted together. The aircraft is covered in pre-sewn [Dacron](/source/Dacron) envelopes, with the forward [fuselage](/source/Fuselage) made from [fiberglass](/source/Fiberglass). The wing features half-span [ailerons](/source/Aileron) and half-span [flaps](/source/Flap_(aircraft)). The GT500 has two seats in [tandem](/source/Tandem), with dual controls featuring control columns with [yokes](/source/Yoke_(aircraft)).[3][8][1] A 1991 upgrade included optional doors that are [zippered](/source/Zipper) into place adding 10 kn (19 km/h) of cruise speed, steel landing gear legs with dual brakes and an electric starter.[9]

## Accidents and incidents

- August 3, 2025 - Indonesian Air Force officer and pilot [Fajar Adriyanto](/source/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. [10]

## Variants

**GT400**
- Single-seat version equipped with a 40 horsepower (30 kW) [Rotax 447](/source/Rotax_447) [two-stroke](/source/Two-stroke) or 50 hp (37 kW) [Rotax 503](/source/Rotax_503) two-stroke engine. Standard empty weight is 276 pounds (125 kg) and gross weight is 570 pounds (259 kg). Originally marketed as the *GT*. Estimated construction time from the kit is 70 hours and 530 had been completed and flown by 2011.[11][8][5][12][13][14][15][16][17][1][18]

**GT500**
- Two-seats-in-tandem version powered by a 64 hp (48 kW) [Rotax 582](/source/Rotax_582) two-stroke or an 80 hp (60 kW) [Rotax 912UL](/source/Rotax_912UL) [four-stroke](/source/Four-stroke). The now out-of-production 74 hp (55 kW) [Rotax 618](/source/Rotax_618) [two-stroke](/source/Two-stroke) was a previously available option. Other options include floats, a ballistic parachute system and [crop dusting](/source/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.[11][3][7][8][5][12][13][14][15][16][17][1][6]

## Specifications (GT500)

*Data from* *Manufacturer[7] and Type Certificate[6]*

**General characteristics**

- **Crew:** one

- **Capacity:** one passenger

- **Length:** 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m)

- **Wingspan:** 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)

- **Height:** 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)

- **Wing area:** 155 sq ft (14.4 m2)

- **Empty weight:** 575 lb (261 kg)

- **Gross weight:** 1,000 lb (454 kg)

- **Fuel capacity:** 16 U.S. gallons (61 L; 13 imp gal)

- **Powerplant:** 1 × [Rotax 582](/source/Rotax_582) twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, 64 hp (48 kW)

- **Propellers:** 3-bladed carbon fiber ground adjustable, 6 ft (1.8 m) diameter pitch range 17 to 19°

**Performance**

- **Maximum speed:** 88 mph (142 km/h, 76 kn) with doors installed

- **Cruise speed:** 79 mph (127 km/h, 69 kn) with doors installed

- **Stall speed:** 39 mph (63 km/h, 34 kn) flaps down, power off

- **[Never exceed speed](/source/V_speeds#VNE):** 103 mph (166 km/h, 90 kn)

- **Range:** 215 mi (346 km, 187 nmi) with doors installed

- **Service ceiling:** 12,500 ft (3,800 m)

- **g limits:** +6.0/-3.0 ultimate

- **Maximum glide ratio:** 7.5:1 with doors installed

- **Rate of climb:** 650 ft/min (3.3 m/s)

- **Wing loading:** 6.45 lb/sq ft (31.5 kg/m2)

## See also

**Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era**

- [Spectrum Beaver](/source/Spectrum_Beaver)

- [Birdman Chinook](/source/Birdman_Chinook)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-WDLA11_1-3) Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: *World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12*, page 70. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WDLA15_2-0)** Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: *World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16*, page 75. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1368-485X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1368-485X)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cliche_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cliche_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Cliche_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Cliche_3-3) Cliche, Andre: *Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide* 8th Edition, page B-95. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9680628-1-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9680628-1-4)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-QSAircraft_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-QSAircraft_4-1) Quicksilver Manufacturing (n.d.). ["Aircraft"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101223040917/http://quicksilveraircraft.com/aircraft.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/aircraft.htm) on December 23, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WDLA04_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WDLA04_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WDLA04_5-2) Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: *World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04*, page 155. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TA1CH_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TA1CH_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TA1CH_6-2) [Federal Aviation Administration](/source/Federal_Aviation_Administration) (June 1995). ["Type Certificate Data Sheet No. TA1CH"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110721035615/http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/ebc88adc34d931248525673d00547665/$FILE/ta1ch.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/ebc88adc34d931248525673d00547665/$FILE/ta1ch.pdf) (PDF) on July 21, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-QSGT500_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-QSGT500_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-QSGT500_7-2) Quicksilver Manufacturing (n.d.). ["GT500"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043346/http://quicksilveraircraft.com/gt500.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/gt500.htm) on December 23, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Aerocrafter_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Aerocrafter_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Aerocrafter_8-2) Purdy, Don: *AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook*, page 228. BAI Communications. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9636409-4-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9636409-4-1)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Jim Thompson (April 1991). "Quicksilver updates". *Air Progress*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["'Red Wolf' F-16 Pilot and Former Air Force Spokesman Dies in Ultralight Aircraft Crash"](https://jakartaglobe.id/news/red-wolf-f16-pilot-and-former-air-force-spokesman-dies-in-ultralight-aircraft-crash). *Jakarta Globe*. August 3, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2011_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2011_11-1) Vandermeullen, Richard: *2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide*, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 67. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec1998_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec1998_12-1) Downey, Julia: *1999 Kit Aircraft Directory*, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 64. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2000_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2000_13-1) Downey, Julia: *2001 Kit Aircraft Directory*, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 69. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2001_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2001_14-1) Downey, Julia: *2002 Kit Aircraft Directory*, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, pages 61 and 85. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2003_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2003_15-1) Newby-Gonzalez, Tori: *2004 Kit Aircraft Directory*, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 12, December 2003, page 74. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2004_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2004_16-1) Downey, Julia: *2005 Kit Aircraft Directory*, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 75. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2007_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-KitplanesDec2007_17-1) Downey, Julia: *2008 Kit Aircraft Directory*, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 67. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851

1. **[^](#cite_ref-QSGT400_18-0)** Quicksilver Manufacturing (n.d.). ["GT 400"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043553/http://quicksilveraircraft.com/gt400.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/gt400.htm) on December 23, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2011.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Quicksilver GT-500](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Quicksilver_GT-500).

- [Official GT400 website](http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/gt400.php)

- [Official GT500 website](http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/gt500.php)

- [Photo of GT400](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231413/http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/7/3/7/1831737.jpg)

v t e Quicksilver Aircraft Aircraft C E GT400 GT500 MX Sprint MX Sport MX-2 Sprint MXL-2 Sport Sport II Sport 2S Companies Eipper Aircraft Eipper Formance Quicksilver Aircraft Quicksilver Manufacturing

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Quicksilver GT500](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quicksilver_GT500) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quicksilver_GT500?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.