Rotec Rally

{{Infobox aircraft | name = Rally | logo = | logo_size = | image = Rotec Rally 2B ‘YAT’ (49234625916).jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Ultralight aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Rotec Engineering | design_group = | designer = Bill Adaska | builder = | issuer = | status = Production completed | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = more than 2000 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1977 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Rotec Rally''' is a family of American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Bill Adaska in 1977 and produced by Rotec Engineering of Duncanville, Texas. Adaska had been an aeronautical engineer at Bell Helicopter and the French helicopter manufacturer, Aerospatiale, prior to starting Rotec. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page E-30. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="VUM">{{Cite web|url = http://virtualultralightmuseum.com/qr.htm#rally|title = Rally Sport|access-date = 8 December 2011|last = Virtual Ultralight Museum|date = n.d.}}</ref><ref name="allaero">{{cite news|url = http://all-aero.com/index.php/69-manufacturers/manufacturers-n-z/9312-rotec-engineering-|title = Rotec Engineering|access-date = 22 February 2015|year = 2015| work = All Aero}}</ref>

==Design and development== The earliest Rallys were derived from hang gliders and comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. The Rally 2, for instance, has a standard empty weight of {{convert|145|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. The series all feature a cable-braced high-wing, a single-seat, open cockpit, conventional landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration. The series was highly successful due to its low price and solid engineering.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="VUM" />

The aircraft is made from aluminum tubing, with the flying surfaces covered in Dacron sailcloth. The wing is cable braced from a single kingpost mounted on top of the wing. The tailwheel is sprung.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="VUM" />

The first Rallys were simple powered hang gliders and grew in sophistication as the model numbers increased. More than 2000 Rallys were delivered.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="allaero"/>

==Operational history== In reviewing the Rally, All-Aero said:

{{Quotation|The Rotec [Rally] was really just a cheap copy of the Quicksilver MX. For example the rudder, elevator, and spoileron cables were just rope. To attach these to the control systems Adaska used plastic hooks, and you literally tied a knot in the rope to attach the hook! Plastic fittings were used on the elevator, rudder, and spoilerons. These would crack and break when exposed to UV and cold. With all this said the craft did fly, was quite forgiving, and easy to repair, and with some changes is a safe, fun, affordable flying machine.<ref name="allaero"/> }}

==Variants== ;Rally 1 :Early powered hang glider model introduced in 1977.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="allaero"/> ;Rally 2 :Improved powered hang glider model with weight shift control for pitch and roll with a seat-cable controlled rudder introduced in 1979. Standard engine is the Solo 210 of {{convert|20|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. It has a {{convert|145|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} empty weight and a cruise speed of {{convert|23|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="allaero"/> ;Rally 2B :Development of the Rally 2, with a conventional three-axis control system, including wing-mounted ailerons. In production models after 1981 the ailerons were replaced with spoilers for roll control. The control stick on the Rally 2B is hinged from the top, which simplified control runs to the high wing. Standard engine supplied was the Cuyuna 430 two-stroke.<ref name="Cliche" /> ;Rally 3 :Two seat version of the Rally 2B, introduced in 1981.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="allaero"/> ;Rally Sport :Structurally strengthened version of the Rally 2B for aerobatics, with a {{convert|248|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} empty weight, {{convert|27|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wingspan and glide ratio of 8:1. Introduced in January 1983.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="VUM" /><ref name="allaero"/>

==Aircraft on display== *Southern Museum of Flight - Rally 2B<ref name="South">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/North_America/USA/Alabama/Birmingham/Southern_Museum_of_Flight.htm|title = Southern Museum of Flight|access-date = 8 December 2011|last = aviationmuseum.eu |date = n.d.}}</ref> *Texas Air Museum - Stinson Chapter - Rally 2B

==Specifications (Rally 2B) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche<ref name="Cliche" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m= |span ft=31 |span in= |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=155 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=218 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=466 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|2.9|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Cuyuna 430 |eng1 type=twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine |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=19 |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=78 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits=+3.8/-1.0 |roll rate= |glide ratio=7:1 |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=680 |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}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *[http://www.gcufo.com/pixpages/joereed_rally.jpg Photo of Rally]

Category:Rotec Engineering aircraft Category:1980s United States ultralight aircraft Category:Homebuilt aircraft Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft