Flying the Merlin Lite, Part 103 Legal All Metal Ultralight Aircraft, Aeromarine LSA.

[@SaltyPirate71]

Glad to see ultralights get beyond the days where they looked like someone wrapped a couple 1980s lawn chairs in duct tape and kite fabric and bolted a lawnmower engine on with a half gallon gas tank.

[@quantumac]

I think Part 103 weight limits could be increased by 25% and increase safety for both the pilot and people on the ground, but nobody wants to touch it in case the bureaucrats want to get rid of Part 103 completely. Sadly, we live in fear of our government bureaucracies.

[@william1863]

The hell with the bureaucrats stand up people this is America not Russia and not even Russia pulls this b*******

[@PilotScooper]

Very impressive for a Part 103 legal all metal airplane. I really like the fact that it's got a cantilever (no draggy struts) wing.

[@daxdadog]

You have my attention! I sure hope this becomes a viable ultralight.

[@briankimmell7960]

I've been waiting for a design like this.

[@MrRobit99]

Hi! Can't wait to see the kit price when available. I'm not an areo engineer but adding wing tip extensions (only a couple of oz) should help the stall speed. Hope you stay on schedule. :-)

[@KitfoxPilot]

I looked that plane over at Mt Vernon and it is the nicest ultralight I've ever looked at. I really enjoy your channel.

[@davidwavidshmavider]

Isn’t it important to weigh the front only while the back is being lifted and weighed? Or did they do that?

[@Stillstoned1]

that is a bad ass little plane

[@edwardkelly5625]

Sweet plane...what's the expected cost to purchase

[@hardcorehunter9438]

You mean whats the life expectancy to fly it

[@michaelknauer5873]

I would love to own one hopefully they will be available soon to the public

[@dedomv11]

Nice airplane. Where does the FAA get that oddball 254 lb anyway? Why don't they just make it an even 300 lb?

[@rjc0234]

I imagine they wanted it to be 250lb, but there was one already existing popular ultralight out there that was 254lb, so they went with that. What i would wish they would do is allow more exceptions. instruments don't cost you, batteries don't cost you, seat and harness etc. And add some extra features like the parachutes that add a fixed additional weight limit. so if you add and ADS-B unit, you get an extra 5lb for free. 300lb would be very nice though, but as this aircraft has proven you can get some real clean looking aircraft for under the weight. bet the law makers never thought they would look that nice!

[@JD96893]

Its more in different countries(and less). Where live its around 350lbs, same in a lot of other countries! But alas motors are more expensive here and i dont have the tools to build one. My dad has everything, but the old fart is convinced ultra lights are a blight and are all basically a hangglider with an engine. Not sure why licsensed pilots seem to think ultralights are so bad.

[@LarryBrooks-cf9qp]

They make ultralite flying unsafe with their rules.

[@myotherusername9224]

During the NPRM window the FAA was swamped with expert opinions that they should have a higher weight limit for safety but they wouldn't listen. So dysfunctional.

[@cliffmounts7878]

Awesome looking plane.

[@LiveLNXgaming]

Im curious about some stats for this. Takeoff and landing role, rang and efficiency, and stall speed. Im wanting to get a STOL back country ultralight and right now im looking at the Badland 103, but I do like the full metal design. Just wondering what the main drawbacks are to getting that.

[@ChipErwinAeromarine]

Nearly all UL aircraft are STOL simply because they have to fly so slow. The Merlin Lite has hydraulic brakes and relatively large tires and a good power-to-weight ratio so it should be pretty good for off airport operations. The 3-hinge Fowler flaps are huge and deploy to 40 degrees. We will post actual specs after our flight test program wraps up.

[@m39fan]

DEFINITELY interested!

[@craigpennington1251]

Need info on that engine please. This is a very cool aircraft if it isn't too expensive.

[@bikersoncall]

Nice plane, how much weight would 'painted' add ?

[@qball6520]

You can use a regular bathroom scale for the tail wheel.........???

[@imwalking1690]

Could possibly save a few pounds if you use flush solid rivets in place of the pop rivets.

[@FrayAdjacentTX]

A paramotor engine on a little plane... nice. If I had the land and money available, a little Part 103 plane like that would be nice. Until then, I'll fly my paramotor.

[@dangoldbach6570]

Is that polini a 2 or a 4 stroke? They made solid little air cooled paramotor units, didn't know they made a liquid cooled model!

[@ChipErwinAeromarine]

2-stroke, dual ignition, liquid-cooled with clutch. Very smooth.

[@christheother9088]

Like to see some reassuring pics of the sandbags and static load demo.

[@alecxixfernandez5212]

Pretty cool plane. 👍🏼

[@Roadglide911]

What’s the useable weight? 230# and 6’ tall Just wondering if it could get me off the ground.

[@mikeclick6668]

Wow, I live in the Rockies maybe this could be an affordable option for me to get into 👍

[@nickmalone3599]

When is the HYSTOL version coming out?

[@dre61986]

I love this plane

[@fws5079]

Hmmm.. Need to fly it with the cowl on to talk about engine cooling.

[@timm2020]

What does a complete unit cost??

[@ericgregory3005]

They need to increase weights on Part 103. That could increase safety by a good margin.

[@KB3M]

It would but the argument against changing Part 103 is the whole "pandora's box" issue that given the chance the FAA will do far more damage than good if given the opportunity to change Part 103. Right now Part 103 is only two pages long. No chance it stays that short if opened up for revisions.

[@Papershields001]

I want one for my farm!

[@silverfox3560]

Can the kit be purchased with the original merlin cowl?

[@simtime7591]

dont get what the parachute is for, if the engine cuts out wont it just fly down, if you dip the nose to keep airspeed above stall. Is this a regulation thing

[@ultralightnews]

The parachute is used for two things in this case. 1. in case of an emergency, such as a mid air collision, structural failure, control system failure, the chute can be deployed and brings both plane and pilot down safely, as it did me when my craft was struck by a Canada Goose. 2. in the U.S. an ultralight equipped with a parachute is allowed an additional weight allowance for the chute - the chute allowance is a standard 24 lbs. most chutes for U.S. ultralights will come in at between 10 and 15 lbs. which allows the additional weight allowance to be used towards the aircraft, which is the case in the Merlin Lite.

[@altair7001]

About weighting, instead of weighing the tail separately, just lift the tail up until the whole airplane is balanced on its two wheels, you don't need three scales to do that. And you're not doing a weight&balance check either, so why complicate everything?

[@JohnStorrie]

How can it be Part 103 compliant with the level flight speed limit of 63 MPH if it goes 75 MPH ?

[@superskullmaster]

Part 103 doesn’t say the aircraft can’t be capable of exceeding that, only that you don’t. Think of it like speed limits on the highway, you CAN go faster, you just aren’t supposed to by law.

[@JohnStorrie]

@@superskullmaster You need to read FAR Part 103 again. It specifically states 55 knots as maximum capability.

[@Hatred_in_Your_mind]

Limit the throttle cable to get 55 knots.

[@hangfire5005]

if the weight limit is 254 isn't this overweight, or did you subtract the paracute to get it or how does that work?

[@ultralightnews]

You ADD 24 lbs for the parachute allowance.

[@paulte7940]

@@ultralightnews sadly, this is quite misleading. you can DEDUCT, UP TO, 24 lbs of parachute. not, if you add a 12 lb parachute, you can subtract 24 lbs (or weigh in at 278 lbs). you can subtract 12 lb. on the flip side, if you add a 30 lb chute, you can still only subtract 24 lbs.

[@theworshiptraveler6709]

Is this plane flying with the speed wing or with the extended wing for part 103?

[@ChipErwinAeromarine]

The longer wing will be required to meet the stall speed of Part 103.

[@strat0871]

Funny how it looks like a mini PZL wilga.

[@politicalsheepdog]

I would love to have this Taildragger Ultralight.

[@franksummerlin3422]

Wouldn't it be lighter if it was air-cooled, instead of water-cooled?

[@kurtjuergens6835]

power to weight ratios will always favor the liquid cooled powerplant.

[@manofsan]

How safe is it to fly such a lightweight aircraft during mid-day? Is it more vulnerable to thermals? What about during windy conditions?

[@jackriley5974]

The most fun I've ever had flying was in a 150. It flies like a leaf and is great for practicing any maneuver. My favorites were full flaps over an obstacle and crabbing, Short of in flight separation nothing else entered my mind as requiring a May Day call. Too bad the cost of flying put an end to my fun many years ago!!

[@Meowface.]

Wonder how light it could be with some composites Carbon fibre bits here n there would subtract a good bit It’s not crazy expensive to make Caron fiber parts anymore either

[@badron9245]

How do you figure Part 103 Legal when you're at 274# and 75mph and the regs. say 254# and 63mph?

[@ultralightnews]

Part 103 allows 24 lbs. for a parachute, which this plane has.

[@houstonsheltonbees814]

@@ultralightnews I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for answering this👍

[@ExtraWeenieSauce]

I was thinking about a kitfox but I think I want this!

[@mikeact1732]

I thought 254lbs us the weight limit for faa 103. ? How is this legal what am I missing

[@ultralightnews]

254 PLUS parachute allowance, PLUS float allowance if equipped with floats.

[@skyhawk21]

So what can we get right now to meet the 103 requirements? What certs does the aircraft and pilot need to fly?

[@ultralightnews]

None. In the U.S. an part 013 legal ultralight requires no registration, or certification. The pilot requires no license, training, or medical.

[@956884266]

So what is the average GPH?

[@tedenderpalmer6550]

What is the max allow weight?

[@keepyourbilsteins]

Please let this be available in kit form.

[@ilikeleaking]

nicest looking ultralight ive seen

[@samloren4324]

How much it cost to have one?

[@P-CROZIER]

Beautiful, I want one 👍🏼

[@FroggyFrog9000]

Looks good.

[@timothygreen9884]

How much is it’ cost

[@fredflinstone1093]

Maybe I missed it. Can you talk about the power plant?

[@ultralightnews]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d57Rg2unhLqSqpI

[@hazcat640]

@@ultralightnews Where you still say nothing about the engine other than liquid cooled and 2 cylinder. Oh, and it is a very popular engine. How about the name and mfg so we can at least look up the specs.

[@sonanddadmoments5951]

I want buying one, have can I do this,please answer me

[@EricRyanSound]

Also saw one called "Badlands Aircraft"

[@ronaldfranck6960]

....and what will it weigh once it's fully cowled?

[@9014jayvictor]

4 more pounds

[@bikersoncall]

@@9014jayvictor I thought he said it might be overweight with cowling and both doors, not positive though.

[@EmancipatedSquirrel]

That's amazing! I hope it's cheaper than the Hummel planes.

[@williamstrome5271]

no on average 40,000$ can be less but hummels can be built cheaper one thing to note is this can be built from the kit much faster

[@bradboardwell8295]

The hummel series are not expensive....

[@ronaldharris6569]

I thought part 103 was 254pounds?

[@khristoferyan]

With parachute the increase in weight is allowed

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

Hello from Sydney, Australia. Could you inform the weight requirements for experimental aircraft to registered GA FAA.🇦🇺🌏

[@mac11380]

No machine guns?

[@jamesmatthews2966]

I love it

[@dwightbetten5280]

Where can I get one?

[@cadiscase]

Max weight of pilot ? Max height of pilot ? I realize temp, air pressure will play a part.

[@ultralightnews]

The pilot flying it was over 6 feet and about 180 lbs.

[@ExtraWeenieSauce]

It reminds me of a mini wilga

[@LuisGonzalez-oe6np]

by all means, sad they don´t say it, cause it´s undoubtly based on that design...

[@rollingthunder277]

I'm confused: 273 lbs. is waaay above Part 103 limitations of 254 lbs. How is this a legal ultralight?

[@ultralightnews]

254 PLUS the parachute allowance.

[@mktsmith62]

@@ultralightnews I was thinking the same. When I looked at 103 aircraft back in the 80s there was talk of an allowance for a chute but had not yet been implemented iirc. One of the QuickSilver kits came with a parachute option only because it could stay legal with the added weight. Again, from long ago memory.

[@shapour1964]

Name of engine please

[@eddysanta1213]

Sweet plane.

[@truthministries77]

Par 103 speed limit is 55 so how is this one par 103?

[@ultralightnews]

Check the regs! The limit is NOT 55 mph.

[@jerryeck1650]

Ok how much

[@gerald4027]

Should fly really good with a turbo 350 hp 4 cylinder vw engine.

[@shawnsmith8189]

Awesome plain

[@billmoody823]

i cant wait!!

[@cashifilmoficial1239]

License dede ?

[@rjwood6314]

That's 253 lbs?

[@hulado]

aerobatics? its a cool looking ride.

[@alltheboost5363]

I guess it makes weight but if you said it's going 75 miles an hour that means it's no 103 legal... according to a quick Google search. It also looks like you put everything on it then it's not legal.

[@tonybusano3995]

I believe far 103 speed requirement is for level flight. Was sure shallow dive would increase the speed beyond the maximum

[@donc9751]

How much!?

[@ChipErwinAeromarine]

Price list posted on our web site www.aeromarine-lsa.com

[@verifiedactualgamer]

35k lol

[@АлександрЦыбин-л3к]

Super!

[@jamesmiller7911]

All 3 points should be weighed at the same time. I hope it still makes weight.

[@bikersoncall]

I'm not getting why they didn't do that , they could use a postage scale if the tail is so light, I would weigh it all together, doesn't seem right to weigh it separately .

[@nikkimorgan9581]

I like it very nice plane

[@asadansari7897]

Thanks for video and information, I really enjoyed watching it 😀, AA karachi pk.

[@billcrawford392]

Aircraft must be weighed in a level flight attitude, otherwise CG computation based on three points weight will be inaccurate - it will be computed further aft than it actually is in flight.

[@ultralightnews]

They were NOT doing a weight and balance.

[@simpletube31]

Безподкосный, офигенный самолёт

[@jctorres4607]

i agree.

[@martinleicht5911]

Ditto !! 🍺 😎 👍

[@warpartyattheoutpost4987]

I'd get one if the wings folded up and back.

[@squaddingquads]

Oh wow yes please

[@danilobmalitjr8339]

Wow I can bench press that 😂

[@jonfife3637]

$33,500, I’ll stick with Hummel

[@gerald4027]

Hummel is the way to go.

[@richardjenkins4182]

Hummel is more affordable for sure. But the wing blocks some of the downward visibility for recreational flight. The Merlin offers better visibility.

[@tappan48]

Looks like a Wilga

[@mikeyoungblood1706]

I WANT ONE !!!!

[@422904]

Why wasn’t it weighed in the flying attitude?

[@ChipErwinAeromarine]

This was a weighing only, not a W&B so attitude was irrelevant.

[@Sam-w9des]

I so want this

[@MG-hg1sq]

Huh.. try it in germany

[@comercole1940]

Cool

[@caroltenge5147]

legal weight is just there to keep you out of the air.

[@ultralightnews]

At the time the weight was set - that was the weight the INDUSTRY asked for and agreed to. It had nothing to do with an FAA limitation.

[@Big.Ron1]

Add me to the thousands. At 206 pounds dressed I am not sure if it would work for me because of my weight. But, one can hope.

[@ChipErwinAeromarine]

You can have dinner. Merlin Lite will carry more than 250 lb pilot.

[@peterross97]

I wish it were the same here in Canada. But here, if it flies, you NEED a license. Period.

[@johnf3305]

Looks like a baby Wilga...

[@stompinmcallister1312]

He could take some weight out of the landing bar surely 4lbs