{{Short description|American ultralight aircraft}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}} <!-- This article is a part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft. Please see Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout. --> {{Infobox aircraft | name = Sundowner | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Ultralight aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Ultra-Fab | design_group = | designer = Bob Leinen | builder = | issuer = | status = Production completed | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1983 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Ultra-Fab Sundowner''', also called the '''Sundowner Convertible''', is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Bob Leinen and produced by Ultra-Fab. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page E-39. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="VUM">{{Cite web|url = http://virtualultralightmuseum.com/so.htm#sundowner|title = Sundowner Convertible |accessdate = 7 December 2011|last = Virtual Ultralight Museum|date = n.d.}}</ref>
==Design and development== The aircraft was designed to 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 aircraft has a standard empty weight of {{convert|248|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. It features a strut-braced high wing, a single-seat, conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="VUM" />
The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its {{convert|30.5|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} span wing is supported by "V" struts and jury struts. A single aluminum tube acts as the fuselage keel and supports the tail at the aft end, the wings in the middle and the engine at the front. The engines supplied include the {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 277 and the {{convert|35|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Cuyuna UL II. The aircraft may be flown with an open cockpit or with zippered sailcloth cockpit enclosure panels installed for cold weather flying. The controls are conventional three-axis and include a center stick, adjustable rudder pedals and full-span ailerons. The landing gear has aluminum torsion suspension on all wheels and the tailwheel is steerable.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="VUM" />
The aircraft was introduced just as the ultralight market in the US became saturated and demand collapsed. As a result, even though the Sundowner had many innovative features, it was not a commercial success.<ref name="Cliche" /> <!-- ==Operational history== --> <!-- ==Variants== --> <!-- ==Aircraft on display== -->
==Specifications (Sundowner) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche and the Virtual Ultralight Museum<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="VUM" /> |prime units?=imp<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> <!-- General characteristics --> |genhide=
|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m= |span ft=30 |span in=6 |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=146 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=248 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=500 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|4.5|u.s.gal}} |more general= <!-- Powerplant --> |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Rotax 277 |eng1 type= |eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |eng1 hp=28<!-- prop engines -->
|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop name= |prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop note=
<!-- Performance --> |perfhide=
|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=62 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=50 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=25 |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=<!-- if range unknown --> |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits=+6/-4 |roll rate=<!-- aerobatic --> |glide ratio=7.5:1 |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=800 |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= }}
<!-- ==See also== --> {{aircontent <!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. --> |see also= |related=<!-- related developments --> |similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft --> |lists=<!-- related lists --> }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://virtualultralightmuseum.com/so_files/image030.jpg Drawing of the Sundowner]
Category:1980s United States ultralight aircraft Category:Homebuilt aircraft Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft