Minibat
Role Motor glider
National origin United States
Manufacturer Larry Haig
Designer Larry Haig
First flight 1979
Status No longer in production
Number built 55 sets of plans sold, at least ten completed

The Haig Minibat is a high-wing, single-seat tailless motor glider that was designed by Larry Haig, and first flown in 1979.[1] At one time available as plans or in kit form for amateur construction. The kit is no longer available.[2][3]

Design and development

The Minibat was designed by Haig as a motor glider, but without self-launching capabilities, instead the aircraft is launched by aerotow, winch launching or auto-tow. The small chainsaw engine provides enough power to ensure a positive rate of climb and prevent land-outs, but not enough power for launching. The design goal was a glider with slightly greater performance than the Schweizer 1-26.[2][3]

The Minibat is constructed predominantly from foam and fiberglass and features a monowheel landing gear. The engine is mounted in the rear fuselage in pusher configuration, with the propeller mounted unconventionally between the fuselage and the rudder. Wingtip extensions are available which increase the wingspan to 32.7 ft (10.0 m) and raise the aircraft's glide ratio from 23:1 with the standard 25 ft (7.6 m) wings to 30:1.[2][3]

Operational history

In March 2011 there were ten Minibats registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the USA.[4]

Specifications (Minibat with wingtip extensions)

Data from Soaring[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m)
  • Wing area: 76.5 sq ft (7.11 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 14:1
  • Empty weight: 130 lb (59 kg)
  • Gross weight: 350 lb (159 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × chain saw engine single cylinder

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 30:1
  • Rate of sink: 180 ft/min (0.91 m/s)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ↑ "J2mcL Planeurs - Fiche planeur n°". www.j2mcl-planeurs.net. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Activate Media (2006). "Minibat Haig". Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 122. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
  4. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (March 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved March 18, 2011.
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