The RLU-1 Breezy is a homebuilt aircraft known for its "no cockpit" high wing

pusher configuration In an aircraft with a pusher configuration (as opposed to a tractor configuration), the propeller(s) are mounted behind their respective engine(s). Since a pusher propeller is mounted behind the engine, the drive shaft is in compression in nor ...

. It is designed to seat the pilot and passenger with a maximum unobstructed view.Taylor, John W. R.. ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83''. Jane's Publishing Company. London. 1983.

Design and development

Designed and built by Charles Roloff, Robert Liposky and Carl Unger, the original Breezy used a modified set of

Piper PA-12 The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser is an American three-seat, high wing, single-engine conventional landing gear-equipped light aircraft that was produced by Piper Aircraft between 1946-48. The PA-12 was an upgraded and redesignated Piper J-5.Plan ...

wings. Wings from the

Piper PA-14 The Piper PA-14 Family Cruiser is an American-built small touring aircraft of the late 1940s. Design and development Piper Aircraft had built the PA-12 Super Cruiser three-seat touring aircraft between early 1946 and March 1948. In 1947, the ...

, Piper PA-18, Piper J-3, Piper J-4,

Piper J-5 The Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser was a larger, more powerful version of the basic Piper J-3 Cub. It was designed just two years after the J-3 Cub, and differed by having a wider fuselage with the pilot sitting in the front seat and two passengers sittin ...

, or Cessna 172 can also be used on the design. It first flew on August 7, 1964.

Operational history

Designer and pilot Carl Unger flew thousands of passengers for free in his Breezy prototype. The aircraft is now part of the EAA AirVenture Museum collection. At the 2014 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh there was a series of special events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the design, including a fly-in of Breezys.

Variants

;Dawes Breezy :Variant with amphibious floats

Specifications (Breezy)

References

*Taylor, John W. R.. ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83''. Jane's Publishing Company. London. 1983.

External links