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20-683: The B&F Fk14 Polaris , also called the FK-Lightplanes FK14 , is a single-engine, low-wing ultralight aircraft that seats two side by side. Designed in Germany in the late 1990s, it remains in production as of 2024. The Cirrus SR Sport , simply called the Cirrus SRS , was a version of the B&;F Fk14 Polaris that was intended to be marketed as a light-sport aircraft by U.S. -based aircraft manufacturer Cirrus Design (now called Cirrus Aircraft), and

40-573: A conventional undercarriage is an option. The main legs are fuselage mounted spring cantilevers and the nosewheel is steerable. All wheels are spatted . The Polaris may be fitted with a ballistic parachute ( BRS 5 ) as an option. There is a choice between two of the Rotax 912 series flat four-cylinder engines: either the 60 kW (80 hp) 912 UL or the 74 kW (99 hp) 912 ULS may be fitted. These engines drive three-blade, ground adjustable pitch propellers. At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2007,

60-810: A broader mission profile. As of February 2022, a full-scale mockup of the Cirrus SRS is located at the Duluth Children's Museum in Duluth, Minnesota , donated to the museum by Cirrus for visitors to learn and interact with. The 90th Polaris was completed in September 2008. In mid-2010, the European registers (excluding Russia) listed 72 aircraft. Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010/11 General characteristics Performance Ultralight aircraft During

80-401: A cutout between the elevators. These rear flying surfaces are mass-balanced. The Polaris also has spring-trimmed controls. Until 2007 B&F offered a choice of steel framed or monocoque fuselage structures, but since then have produced only the latter. The occupants sit side by side under a single piece, forward-hinged canopy. The standard undercarriage is of tricycle configuration , though

100-565: A flight recharge cost of 60 cents in 2007. A significant obstacle to the adoption of electric propulsion for ultralights in the U.S. is the weight of the battery, which is considered part of the empty weight of the aircraft despite efforts to have it considered as fuel. As the specific energy of batteries improves, lighter batteries can be used. [REDACTED] Media related to Ultralight aircraft at Wikimedia Commons Ballistic parachute A ballistic parachute , ballistic reserve parachute , or emergency ballistic reserve parachute ,

120-491: A licence, provided its weight with a full fuel tank is not more than 75 kg (165 lb), but they must obey the rules of the air. For heavier microlights the current UK regulations are similar to the European ones, but helicopters and gyroplanes are not included. Other than the very earliest aircraft, all two-seat UK microlights (and until 2007 all single-seaters) have been required to meet an airworthiness standard; BCAR Section S. In 2007, Single Seat DeRegulated (SSDR),

140-1196: A significant percentage of the global civilian-owned aircraft. For instance, in Canada in February 2018, the ultralight aircraft fleet made up to 20.4% of the total civilian aircraft registered. In other countries that do not register ultralight aircraft, like in the United States , it is unknown what proportion of the total fleet they make up. In countries where there is no specific extra regulation, ultralights are considered regular aircraft and subject to certification requirements for both aircraft and pilot. 2 persons, 622.5 kg (1,372 lb) (600 kg (1,323 lb) without parachute) Stall speed 65 km/h (40 mph) (undefined in Civil Aeronautics Act) Passengers also need permission. Other minister's permissions: Flyable area: uncontrolled airspace over unpopulated areas, within 3 km (2 mi) from departure point and landing at another point forbidden. Aircraft: Must have fixed landing gear, and

160-583: A single engine with fixed pitch propeller. In Australia, ultralight aircraft and their pilots can either be registered with the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia (HGFA) or Recreational Aviation Australia (RA Aus). In all cases, except for privately built single seat ultralight aeroplanes, microlight aircraft or trikes are regulated by the Civil Aviation Regulations. Pilots of a powered, fixed wing aircraft or paramotors do not need

180-630: A sub-category of single seat aircraft was introduced, allowing owners more freedom for modification and experiments. By 2017 the airworthiness of all single seat microlights became solely the responsibility of the user, but pilots must hold a microlight licence; currently NPPL(M) (National Private Pilots Licence). Ultralights in New Zealand are subject to NZCAA General Aviation regulations with microlight specific variations as described in Part 103 and AC103-1. The United States FAA 's definition of an ultralight

200-418: Is a parachute ejected from its casing by a small explosion, much like that used in an ejection seat . The advantage of the ballistic parachute over a conventional parachute is that it ejects the parachute canopy (oftentimes via a small rocket), causing it to open rapidly, thus making it ideal for attaching to light aircraft , hang gliders and microlights , where an emergency may occur in close proximity to

220-611: Is significantly different from that in most other countries and can lead to some confusion when discussing the topic. The governing regulation in the United States is FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles . In 2004, the FAA introduced the " Light-sport aircraft " category, which resembles some other countries' microlight categories. Ultralight aviation is represented by the United States Ultralight Association ( USUA ), which acts as

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240-626: The U.S. aircraft manufacturer Cirrus Design announced that they intended to market a version of the Fk14 as the Cirrus SR Sport, also known as the Cirrus SRS. First deliveries were initially planned for mid-2008. In early 2008, the company began taking orders for delivery, with a $ 5,000 deposit required. Cirrus Design's then-CEO, Alan Klapmeier , announced in October 2008 that, due to the economic situation and resulting lack of demand for Cirrus aircraft,

260-468: The Fk14B variant) wing is mostly of parallel chord but toward the tips, where short span aluminium ailerons occupy the trailing edges, the leading edge is swept. Electrically operated Fowler flaps are fitted. Four flap settings are available: +0°, +10°, +20° and +32°. The wingtips incorporate short winglets . The fin and rudder are gently swept; the rudder is deep, reaching the lower fuselage line and moving in

280-643: The US aeroclub representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale . There are several categories of aircraft which qualify as ultralights in some countries: Advancements in batteries, motors, and motor controllers has led to some practical production electric propulsion systems for some ultralight applications. In many ways, ultralights are a good application for electric power as some models are capable of flying with low power, which allows longer duration flights on battery power. In 2007,

300-510: The company was moving to a three-day work week and that the introduction of the Cirrus SRS had been delayed due to a lack of demand in the light sport aircraft (LSA) market sector. In April 2009, the company announced that it was suspending the project, citing economic conditions and the need to develop the airplane and expand flight-training strategy. They also stated that with time the LSA rules are expected to change and allow Cirrus to build an LSA with

320-499: The first pioneering company in this field, the Electric Aircraft Corporation , began offering engine kits to convert ultralight weight shift trikes to electric power. The 18 hp motor weighs 26 lb (12 kg) and an efficiency of 90% is claimed by designer Randall Fishman. The battery consists of a lithium-polymer battery pack of 5.6kWh which provides 1.5 hours of flying in the trike application. The company claimed

340-503: The ground. In such a situation, a conventional parachute would not open quickly enough. In 1982, Comco Ikarus developed the FRS rocket-launched parachute system for its ultralight and hanglider aircraft. In 1999, Cirrus Aircraft (then known as Cirrus Design) provided the first ballistic parachutes as standard equipment on their line of type-certified aircraft, the Cirrus SR20 ; and in 2016,

360-435: The late 1970s and early 1980s, mostly stimulated by the hang gliding movement, many people sought affordable powered flight. As a result, many aviation authorities set up definitions of lightweight, slow-flying aeroplanes that could be subject to minimum regulations. The resulting aeroplanes are commonly called "ultralight aircraft" or "microlights", although the weight and speed limits differ from country to country. In Europe,

380-433: The sporting (FAI) definition limits the maximum stalling speed to 65 km/h (40 mph) and the maximum take-off weight to 450 kg (992 lb), or 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) if a ballistic parachute is installed. The definition means that the aircraft has a slow landing speed and short landing roll in the event of an engine failure. In most affluent countries, microlights or ultralight aircraft now account for

400-503: Was promoted from 2007 until its suspension in 2009 during the economic crisis . Design of the B&F Fk14 Polaris, sometimes known as the Funk Fk 14 Polaris but not by its makers, began in 1998. It first flew in May 1999 and started in production the next year. It is a low-wing , single-engine ultralight, with enclosed accommodation for two seated side by side. Its largely glass fibre (carbon on

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