Maiden Flight of the Skyhopper Ultralight (Nov 28, 2015)

This is a custom-built airframe based on the Weedhopper Model C. Wing was designed by me and uses the NACA 43012 airfoil with 6-ft root and 3-ft tip chords and a 14-ft span. Engine is the out-of-production Rotax 503 SCDI, 2-cyl, 2-stroke, 50 HP engine with a 1:2.58 Rotax B gear reduction box turning a 65" Powerfin Model B prop. This plane has no plans and is not a kit and cost around $2,000 US (not including engine and instruments, which amount to over $4,000).
For answers to your other questions, please see 43012weed.blogspot.com for all the details.

[@budberry6746]

I have been watching you people flying,,, with a great amount longing to get back in the air. I had my ticket with about 300 hours and then had to give up flying...Just too many other expenses. Did have my floats, skies, wheels some instrument time before I had to give it up. I have been thinking of going the Ultralight route but because of age I have sort of decided to take some time and give that plan some thought. Here is a bit of advice from a senior citizen...don't get old..especially if you are a pilot. I plan to continue to watch you people with envy A Friend of mine took me flying last summer. and asked if I would like to try my hand. I haven't touched a stick in over 20 years but he promised to stick pretty close to look after my mistakes. As it turned out the straight and level came back pretty well, then he suggested I try a landing. I must have been smiled on by the Gods of the air. I was lucky enough to grease it on there was no doubt I was the most surprised pilot of the two that were in the plane. Nice to land on floats again.Wishing you calm winds and blue skies... Fly safe....

[@tooge47]

next time you see Ray Jeske at the Liar's Table, tell him Mark in MS said "hello !"

[@MatthewOwen-eo7tk]

Alright, I’ll tell him.

[@tooge47]

@@MatthewOwen-eo7tk call him RRR for russian rednek roommate

[@RobMacKendrick]

These fly over my house all the time. We call them "flying lawnmowers" because of the sound they make. Watching you start yours I'm amazed to see that's essentially accurate. Really incredible engineering. So simple, so functional. Thanks for the video!

[@gosmoothgolight6285]

Thanks for the vicarious memories, Mr. Scott! My brother had a Weedhopper back in the early '80's and I was privileged to fly it a couple of times. Would love to find one in restorable condition. Absolutely nothing compares to being P.I.C. of one of these magnificent flying machines! Thanks for sharing ... God Bless

[@lancethorup7631]

I met John Chotia back when he was first getting started producing the Weedhopper in Ogden Utah. It's amazing that his design still flys, when so many early ultralights have come and gone. It's a testament to his simple, sturdy and no nonsense design.

[@terrycarter4459]

Wow I found that so exciting. Made me remember my first flight on a new machine. I did not build mine though. Thank you for a great video.

[@edwill62]

That was cool and that sky with rays of sunshine, was beautiful

[@MissMarinaCapri]

Well done! Smooth take off and landing. Very impressive

[@doudouromeo]

Bonheur pour moi ce matin en regardant cette vidéo, je reviens 30 ans en arrière quand je volais sur mon JC 31D biplace 2 axes tiré par son Rotax 532 surpuissant. Cela donnera du soleil à ma journée, merci. Happiness for me this morning watching this video, I go back 30 years when I was flying on my JC 31D 2-axis two-seater pulled by its powerful Rotax 532. It will bring sunshine to my day, thank you.

[@ThomasGrillo]

Very cool ultralight. Wouldn't mind seeing this modeled into Flight Simulator 2020, along with the instrumentation. Wish I still had my design software. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ricardopr54]

Awesome flight! Thumbs up! Greetings from Douglas, Arizona...

[@Zunaid1201]

Nice...

[@luziechiona9090]

I am happy because I have been answered, and now my problem is solved. Thanks guys.

[@user-wj2sr5rj5y]

Здравствуйте дорогие любители полетать, очень красиво, сразу видно что человек в звене природы, и все время стремится взлететь , я сибе иногда задаю вопрос, раз ми так стремимся к небу, значит когда-то наши предки умели летать, как бы там ни было, молодцы ребята, я за вас рад, желаю всем вам здоровья и кавказского долголетия.🙌 жму руку двумя руками, Черкесс с Кавказа.

[@yak55x]

Beauty. I'm ready for an ultralight. Every time I fly something lighter I have more fun than before.

[@johnryzebol2594]

Good

[@raymondo162]

dare i suggest a sailplane? sooooooooooooooooooo quiet. pure

[@ukey4917]

Thanks for the video. Quite an accomplishment and a great addition to the Ultralight community of flyers. Please consider taking your new craft to Oshkosh 2016.

[@treylem3]

Nice plane, great vid. "Clear Prop!"

[@joebennett3937]

great build, could you imagine going back 100 years and bringing this to the wright brothers and see there reaction lol

[@thehandyman7527]

great ride. enjoyed going along on this trip.

[@sonnyburnett5514]

THAT, , WAS BEAUTIFUL!!! ! ! ! ! Although one should have some form of license to fly ???WHATEVER???, sometimes ya just gotta say ''WTF''! ! ! I'd love to build & fly some kind of version of this. That view from the altitude you were at sealed it for me. THANK YOU, SIR.

[@CP-xt5ux]

My grandfather was an aviator and aircraft builder. I grew up around aircraft and eventually became an aircraft maintenance engineer... etc. One thing I learned was in experimental aircraft, especially the real basic ones, is never fly higher or faster than you're willing to crash and harm yourself. Good advice... common sense stuff.

[@ricardolee339]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Great plane ! Greetings from South Brazil !

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

Greetings from Cornwall. 👍

[@ailaazahra8140]

Oi Bg

[@oldwrench579]

I built a Weedhopper "A" model in my garage, serial #486. Had the Chotia 460 direct drive 2 stroke back in 1980. Flew it till I wore it out. Had three different engines in it's lifetime. Las engine was a 430 Cuyuna with a 2-1 reduction. Loved that thing. Wish I still had it.

[@haroldbrown1389]

Many many hrs. In weed hoppers,I love them, had a single ,I bought it as a basket case with a chorea engine and a brand new Kiwsackie( forgive spelling) 340 no red rive, had to make one, put it together and had a ball learning to fly in it,had a lot of mentoring from club members. Then tragedy struck, my sweet wife said "I want to learn to fly,and I want my own plane, one that when people see it they will know it is me" solo I built her a two seater weed hopper (HOT PINK) 503 duel carb duel ineg and taught her to fly it and the woman put over500 hrs.on it but her new husband didn't like it so I'm sure she gave it away, she and him bought Rans S6 kit, that is 20 years ago, it's still in peaches. Weed hoppers are the most fun U can have with ur clothes on. Everybody should build one.

[@elijahvivio1996]

Awesome! Well filmed and edited too

[@dougmcpheters1546]

Very glad I caught this video. Greatly inspiring. I admire your ground supportas as well!...Accept my belated congratulations! Aspiring Pilot, Doug

[@DAY8293A]

Had an old one a friend and I got as a Basket Case, we had to rebuild. Ran a 440 Kawasaki and floats on it for a while. Then put a Kohler twin two cycle on it,, both mounted on top of the tube. The Kohler twin was so smooth and quiet, you could stand next to it while idling and still talk normally. One flip of the prop, and it started. Wish I had kept that thing.

[@edledford8019]

Beautiful. Nicely done! Just purchased my plans yesterday. Hopefully in the air by fall.

[@JVONROCK]

This is like my favorite plane from "The Magnificent Men and their Flying Machines" the Frechmens'

[@tedf1471]

Agree, an update on the Santos-Dumont Demoiselle. Aircraft number 9, flown by 'Pierre Dubois'.

[@richien.4915]

L loved that movie! AND it was my favorite plane of the bunch!

[@bobwade9083]

Very nice man I think you did an outstanding job your an inspiration to myself thanks for a great video

[@Skymaxy]

great stuff takes me back, Weedhopper DNA that's a REAL Ultralight! But nice build with solid double-surface wing good motor etc, wish I had one...!

[@anthonydouglascontares3471]

Looks like loads of fun... So cool... Now I want one too...

[@4vndd]

Simply and absolutely superb... thanks so very much for sharing...!! Good luck.. !!

[@wn6904k]

WOW..... first flights are scary at best. it SHOULD work, but will it. Now the fun starts having the First behind you. Please post more................

[@bruceruttan60]

If you're saying that safety is the illusion of getting used to risk I must disagree. But our feeling safe, that's another matter.

[@wn6904k]

Safety is expected, its just the unknown on a first flight that may tests your skills as a pilot. And there should not be any surprises, I was just glad to have my first flight behind me. Then I got to know the airplane and the way it and I can fly together.............

[@G56AG]

Being your own test pilot is scary as heck, you keep wondering if you might have missed something, and hoping that thing you might have missed won't kill you!

[@FilmMastersChannel]

5:45 amazing shot into the light rays 👍

[@Lemev]

Awesome job!!!! I'm a corporate pilot, currently flying a Hawker 400... I'd like to be brave enough to fly this ultralight, but I think I couldn't... I would get too scary by the propeller passing that close every time I needed to start it up!!! Beautiful aircraft anyways....

[@thedave7760]

Hey Tom. If you really want to fly have someone take you up in a glider for a while. I did it a few months ago and most pilots will give you the stick for most of the flight. it is the ultimate roller coaster in almost total silence. I used to fly paragliders but my landing gear for them is a bit fragile nowadays but a proper glider is just an amasing machine to be in.

[@kasgv33]

Lemev you can buy Quicksilver MX any models. the propeller is behind you, it is safe and cheap to fly just about $10 per hour. it's so much fun! Very maneuverable airplane! l fly about 5 years.

[@johnhavens776]

I've flown both GA and ultralight. What you have to keep in the front of your mind is the inertia when visualizing your glide slope for the approach. A Titan Tornado, T-Bird, Hawk, or Quicksilver does not have the mass of a 152 or 172, so you will not have the forward momentum. Your approach will be a lot steeper as a result.

[@jaxxbrat2634]

Lemev U wuss

[@MsSomeonenew]

I would certainly lengthen the rope and add a pulley, that way you even have a chance to restart mid flight if something goes wrong.

[@genogeno1234]

Very nice! Thanks for posting

[@shivercanada]

Beautiful! Reminds me somewhat of My Lazair II I used to have. Be safe!

[@shannonwhitaker9630]

Have any videos of it flying ?

[@MegaControltv]

Genial!! Espero tener uno así

[@danieltroyer9787]

Damn I would love to have one of those

[@markspc1]

Awesome flight !

[@Dan27Jr]

I flew quicksilvers long ago, and one poor fellow at our flying field had a Weedhopper. He never got the engine to run more than a few moments. He became very proficient at dead-stick The rest of us actually flew our planes.

[@tomwilliams1915]

Nice job; I built a B model in 1980 and it flew well but if I built a wing myself I would add ailerons and make it 3 axis.

[@chrusion]

Ailerons on Weeds do not work, mainly due to the wing sweep. It's been tried and abandoned, even after lowering the wing's 6 degrees of dihedral down to 1.

[@luizdiasdasilva486]

M

[@ambaiste]

Outstanding! Well done.

[@Pabkojdim]

True definition of riding off or flying off to the sunset

[@SteveHMcIntosh]

Damn that prop looks dangerous!

[@chrusion]

Tractor props on ANY plane look dangerous!!

[@Yyyyyy5]

So is your weed eater but you don't go sticking your face in it do ya? You be careful around it and it won't hurt a thing.

[@scottheffernan5286]

Big balls! Happy for your accomplshment.

[@nirjharbhatnaagar1982]

That’s a pretty stable glider.. because of the good wing design..!

[@kathylittle8]

Thought I recognised the sound of the rotax 503. I used to have a trike with one in and it never let me down

[@phdcredible5211]

Cool digs and pics. Thanx 4 shrng.

[@dannyto6177]

congratulation! well done, will follow you to build one soon, once again thanks for ribs pattern.

[@raulaguilar3551]

muy bueno, felicitaciones

[@brionjohnson2985]

That is indeed a pretty shot!

[@explorateurdesairs]

Looks nice and stable

[@ABNERCHAN4]

That was awesome!

[@carmelpule6954]

I understand that the full span is 28 ft . If all those tubes were squashed a little to produce an elliptical shape ( perhaps with some back fairing) she would gain a few more knots. At the moment I am thinking of Lois Bleriot as his early plane had a similar configuration. Very nice indeed, congratulations.

[@chrusion]

True. Drag is the speed killer in all open cockpit, tube & fabric ULs. Faired wing struts are about the only tubes that can be reasonably streamlined. I've done it before and gained maybe 3-4 mph. The only problem is durability. My last iteration was vinyl roof flashing covered foam, hot-wire cut in a true airfoil shape. Didn't last long... heat of sun warped and buckled the vinyl into a bunch of little span-wise ripples. Speed increase is not worth the $$ for extruded plastic slip-on fairings or extruded aluminum $trut$.

[@michaelbevan3285]

congratulations and best wishes with this fine craft! I like your solutions to the C of G problems. very well thought out. Nice one!

[@simflying]

Very nice video and well built. Span is probably 24ft, or not ? If You use less dihedral and TsAGI R-3a-12 airfoil, 5ft at root, it will probably fly better. You could also use gearbox 1:3 with same prop or 1:3.47 with 68" prop - it will be quieter, less vibrations and lower consumption.

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

Nice! For a 25-hundred dollar build.... that's pretty damn awesome. Beautiful wee plane, as well!

[@chrusion]

Thanks. Add another 2,500 to 3,000 for a used 503 (with carb, exhaust, fuel pump), and around 1,000 for instruments, regulator, strobes, and seat tank. Build cost excluded these since I already had them from the former plane, and just counted the raw materials-- tubing, plywood, fabric, paint, glue, hardware, and other small misc.

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

Dean Scott It'd still be a gorgeous thing even at that costing! What's the ceiling for that?

[@chrusion]

ULs typically max out at 13,000. Mine? Haven't even ventured over 2,000 yet, but in the past 3,000 was as high as I wanted to go. Why? Can't see the ground moving below you.

[@jadersonmedeiros1032]

Great! Fantastic job!

[@jeffreylindsey1757]

Nice job and good video. Thanks

[@elfe11twos]

Great job o7 so fantastic :)

[@stevanusmarcello7204]

very amazing and awesome aircraft

[@JimPfarr]

Congrats on a job well done!

[@baghdadbaghdad2725]

نهيععبهبخقهببخهبعلهببهعيننثيعن٣

[@Romin.777]

That was a pretty shot indeed.

[@OldWrench45]

I had one of the first Weedhoppers, SN# 486. Had the old round head engine. Upgraded to the Square head, the Cuyuna 430 with Direct drive then belt reduction. Loved my Weedhopper. Are they still being produced? Love yours. Great looking aircraft.

[@ouiroc]

I I have had three weed Hoppers love them all the best one was the Nova trailer it into Sun-N-Fun in Florida on a paradise field

[@deck614]

An hommage to the Santos-Dumont's Demoiselle, I think! Realy cool.

[@shelpsfyah]

Santos Dumont foi um grande brasileiro 🇧🇷

[@keithgreer7709]

Thank God that very light airframe held together during flight

[@chrusion]

That "very light airframe" is 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum (2.5" OD x 0.065 main boom and mostly 1" OD x 0.065 fuselage brace tubes) held together with 6061 T6 brackets and military grade AN-4 hardware. Design is composed of triangles, the strongest shape possible. Design protects pilot in the event of an impact... think race car roll cage strong.

[@phillipware9681]

Good job! Congratulations! 👍

[@chrusion]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@rapikabupatenbandung5155]

mantap dan Salut .bravo buat Khoirul ...

[@7100warhawk]

Wow...Awesome job.

[@briantbradshaw3071]

freedom is amazing !!!

[@philosophertv3231]

But definition of freedom is no to do something by hearing someone Freedom means limitation fun

[@goatsinker347]

Freedom???? If he makes one little oopsy the FAA will chew him out. Freedom.... ha!

[@ArnoldsDesign]

This looks quite a bit like a Beaujon Minimac. Nice little planes.

[@EdwinHenryBlachford]

Nice stuff. I like the windscreen ( essential if in propwash ) but which brainiac figures that a human with clothes on stuck out in the breeze ( like many ultralights) is more aerodynamic than a shaped shroud. Wingspan is a little short but section is huge so she'd turn on a dime safely when close to the ground. Noting previous comments, yes a few hours in gliders will give the very best grounding for ultra-light since these powered craft are very light with no intention of carrying payload. I'd think that with a well sprung undercarriage she'd be good for rough field landing as long as you land up wind with the nose held a little high. I'd like to see this craft with a heavier VW engine set back a bit to equate COG. 4 cylinder VW engines can have Porsche roller bearing cranks fitted with fuel injection and dry sumping for reliable inverted flight in a much slower revving and quieter powerplant. Finally I like puller props up front so I can see what's going on (or not) so kudos

[@OldWrench45]

If you're looking for great aerodynamics perhaps an ultralight shouldn't be your first choice.

[@Fhiwa]

Jossss..... Ayo gek nggawe siji ae.. Ngge nyang tasen.... 👍👍👍👍👍

[@jeyapaulsamathanam7057]

Lovely runway.

[@tyxynvey]

Молодец! Он летает и это прекрасно!

[@mylesjarvis7571]

Just awesome!

[@helviopacifico6560]

Na vida a gente paga pelo que faz... E paga caro..e o motor só falha.. cada louco sua mania.. 🍸💜🎭...Brasil..

[@morgaduportuguesh9597]

O resultado e malhar com os cornos no chao

[@prtcgv5105]

Çey...

[@firstamendment3257]

Nice job!

[@afterhourshotrods6882]

Ah yes the flying lawn chair. Had one in the 80's use to fly it from Miami to Bimini all the time.

[@devismalorodriguez6844]

Pura vida! Cual es la velocidad de ese aparato en pleno vuelo?

[@zacharylarrimore8797]

you should make step by step videos on how you built it, i want to build one

[@chrusion]

see: 43012weed.blogspot.com

[@aktanafthalysirait8036]

@@chrusion Thanks

[@bmitchely]

That's a tall order! But... I have another Weedhopper :)

[@unclefester9113]

I wouldn't fly too far from a landing sight. ... Then again how much fun would it be to fly circle patterns over a landing strip ???

[@sadektako9249]

Best of the best, Top..

[@melvyncox3361]

Nice little plane!I like it.Nice One!

[@jorgenelsonfelix52]

Espectacular muy bueno 😃👍👍.

[@agustinbellovallejo5818]

Zapatillas de fútbol

[@agustinbellovallejo5818]

B

[@blankman2306]

Good job guys keep it up

[@bikemancody2752]

I've flown out of there before on my paramotor with my buddy Axel.

[@johnhavens776]

The Weedhopper used the Rotax 447. With that and the 503 plants out of production, I wonder what they using for new birds. Nice job on the custom build.

[@chrusion]

Hirth F23 for R503 replacement and Polini Thor 250 or Hirth F33 for R447s.

[@711RoyGBiv]

@@chrusion kawasaki TA440?

[@griffinoneal1856]

I have an extra one of those Rotax motors, and microlight “not functioning” but I want one of those...

[@robertlaugherty4914]

I live near this airport. Do you still fly this plane from time to time? Excellent build job! Congrats. (Thinking about electric start?)

[@chrusion]

Yep. Haven't for the last 3 mos. winter, short days, and wind sort of has the bird hibernating.

[@teresaGarcia-hu8pi]

Robert Laugherty How fast does she go mate?

[@rameshnatikar3449]

Robert Laugherty I want to build same plane sir will you guide me...

[@royceclaydon9605]

Great job

[@donpage4275]

First flew a Cayuna powered Weedhopper in 1980. One totally blind overhead view and enough noise to cause nosebleed.

[@chrusion]

You mean Chotia powered. Yeah, those single bangers, with no muffler or expansion chamber, were horrendously loud!! I had one.

[@donpage4275]

@@chrusion Actually it WAS a Cayuna which was a replacement for the boat anchor Chotia single

[@rcs7985]

Good design and equipment quality I seen in this video. Sir how much cost to make this completely

[@chrusion]

$2000 in parts. $3500 or more for engine.

[@grevberg]

I've seen something exactly like this in a museum in Australia.

[@whoanelly737-8]

Awesome!

[@hulkbokeron]

El momento es el espacio-tiempo creado por una similitud de conciencia molecular, haciendo paso a la característica del unísono en sí, con los paralelos simetricales.

[@sharadbagadi6382]

Excellent

[@kunjiabdullah3869]

Good work

[@daveringer9535]

Wow I want the try!

[@dorothygale5896]

Only two things necessary to fly. Air speed and money.

[@larryrobertson3310]

yep the F-4 was proof of that

[@TechnoVault67]

and time

[@OldWrench45]

Thrust and courage.

[@user-kk6lj9mu7x]

Time is money ))

[@paulmood308]

Don’t forget lift.