In the halls of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, hangs one of the first twin-engine ultralight airplanes. The museum describes the Lazair ultralight as “an important step to increase the reliability of these simple and inexpensive aircraft.” Lazair produced fewer than 100 units of their two-seat ultralight airplane. One of them was recently listed on eBay Motors.
Utralight Aircraft are Accessible, Affordable, and Exhilarating
For about a half-century, ultralights piqued the interest of aeronautical hobbyists interested in affordable flight. Exposed to the elements, a pilot can get as close as possible to experiencing what the Wright Brothers must have felt. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) notes that “flying an ultralight means having some of the most accessible, affordable, and exhilarating experiences that aviation has to offer.”
The Birth of the Lazair Ultralight Airplane
The Lazair was designed by Canadian Dale Kramer who became intrigued with experimental aircraft after attending the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh - opens in new window or tab. event. (The next such meeting takes place on July 23 to 29, 2018). That’s where in 1977 Kramer saw all manner of unique, experimental aircraft on display and in the air—including a Superglider kit. Convinced that he could improve the design, Kramer and his friend Peter Corley managed to build and fly the first Lazair prototype a year later in 1978.
The Lazair's frame uses aluminum sheets - opens in new window or tab. and tubing. Transparent mylar covers the wings. The Smithsonian explains, “All Lazairs shared the same basic airframe, but each model was equipped with different engines, a different cockpit enclosure, and structural modifications to support increases in engine power.” The aircraft’s unique tapered wing shape allows for superior low-speed handling and a great gliding aircraft. It also employs winglets and an inverted V-shaped tail (which also serves as landing gear) seldom used by other designers.
The Lazair firm sold twin-engine ultralight aircraft in kit form starting in 1979. The company sold more than 1,200 kits. Sadly, Lazair shut down after five years due to the high costs of liability insurance. Among the 100 or so built, many found use as training vehicles. They also caught the attention of police departments conducting surveillance work. The Monterey Park, California Police Department flew the Smithsonian’s Lazair SS ultralight airplane, back in the day.
The Lazair Is a Stable Flyer
The Lazair's KFM 25-horsepower engine features an electric starter.
The seller of the model available on eBay writes: “The Lazair is one of the safest ultralight aircraft ever built. It will not spin, and the stall is a gentle mush. It does not fall off on one wing because of the washout in the wings, and the tips stall last. If you want a stable flyer, this is for you.”
Most ultralight airplanes do not require a pilot's license. But the two-seater is likely to require certification. The ultralight online community is robust and a ready resource to return the Lazair safely and legally into flight. With the wings easily removed, a pilot could trailer this ultralight from a garage to an airstrip with relative ease.
The owner indicates that the take-off roll is less than 200 feet. Cruising speed is 45 miles per hour with power provided by its KFM 25-horsepower electric-start engine. It's capable of carrying five gallons of fuel. You can expect about 100 miles of flying range.
Two-Seat Ultralight Airplanes are Rare
Most ultralights are strictly one-seat vehicles. The ability to take a buddy, albeit a brave one, is a big plus. The two-seat Lazair ultralight airplane listed on eBay Motors was located in Winston-Salem, N.C. That's 300 miles west of where the Wright Brothers made the world's first controlled-powered airplane flight in 1903.
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