Penetrater
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Ultra-Efficient Products
Designer Nick Leighty and Rick Berstling
Introduction 1985
Status Production completed

The Ultra-Efficient Products Penetrater is an American ultralight aircraft designed by Nick Leighty and Rick Berstling and produced by Ultra-Efficient Products. It was first shown at the 1985 Sun 'n Fun air show.[1]

The aircraft's most notable feature was that the pilot flew in the prone position.[2] The pilot lay on top of the fuselage, and used elbow rests and foot stirrups.[1] The aircraft had a cantilever low-wing, a fuselage consisting of a single aluminum alloy tube, a V-tail, a tricycle landing gear, and a single engine in pusher configuration.

Specifications (Penetrater)

Data from Jane's all the world's aircraft, 1987–88[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 16 ft (4.9 m)
  • Wingspan: 24 ft (7.3 m)
  • Height: 6 ft (1.8 m)
  • Wing area: 108 sq ft (10.0 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 5.33
  • Empty weight: 175 lb (79 kg)
  • Gross weight: 400 lb (181 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Zenoah G25B single cylinder, two stroke, 20 hp (15 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed, 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 60 mph (97 km/h, 52 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn)
  • Stall speed: 24 mph (39 km/h, 21 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 80 mph (130 km/h, 70 kn)
  • Range: 250 mi (400 km, 220 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 8,000 ft (2,400 m)
  • g limits: ±6
  • Maximum glide ratio: 14:1
  • Rate of climb: 950 ft/min (4.8 m/s)
  • Rate of sink: 250 ft/min (1.3 m/s) @ 40 mph
  • Lift-to-drag: 14
  • Wing loading: 3.70 lb/sq ft (18.1 kg/m2)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 Taylor, John W. R.; Munson, Kenneth, eds. (1987). Jane's all the world's aircraft 1987–88. London: Jane's Yearbooks. pp. 724–725. ISBN 0710608500. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Penetrater (1985)". Ultralight Aircraft of the U.S.A. p. Slide 77. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.


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