The Worldwide Ultralite Clipper is an American
ultralight aircraft
Ultralight aviation (called microlight aviation in some countries) is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircraft. Some countries differentiate between weight-shift control and conventional three-axis control aircraft with ailer ...
that was designed and produced by
Worldwide Ultralite Industries of
Katy, Texas in the early 1980s. The aircraft was supplied as a kit for
amateur construction.
[Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page E-10. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ]
With a
strut-braced
In aeronautics, bracing comprises additional structural members which stiffen the functional airframe to give it rigidity and strength under load. Bracing may be applied both internally and externally, and may take the form of strut, which act in ...
parasol-wing
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplane (aeronautics), multiplanes, which have multiple planes.
A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowe ...
,
conventional landing gear, single engine in
tractor configuration and its single-seat, open cockpit configuration, the Clipper resembles a small conventional
light aircraft and was designed to appeal to private pilots looking for an ultralight aircraft.
Design and development
The aircraft was designed to comply with the US
FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles
Ultralight aircraft in the United States are much smaller and lighter than ultralight aircraft as defined by all other countries.
In the United States, ultralights are described as "ultralight vehicles" and not as aircraft. They are not requ ...
rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of . The aircraft has a standard empty weight of .
The aircraft is made from bolted-together
aluminum tubing, covered in
Dacron sailcloth. Its span wing has
flaps and is supported by parallel
lift struts and
jury strut
In aeronautics, bracing comprises additional structural members which stiffen the functional airframe to give it rigidity and strength under load. Bracing may be applied both internally and externally, and may take the form of strut, which act in c ...
s. The airframe was proof tested to +9/-6
g ultimate load. The conventional landing gear features balloon tires and a steerable tailwheel. The standard powerplant supplied by the factory was the
Rotax 447, single ignition, two cylinder,
two-stroke aircraft engine
An aircraft engine, often referred to as an aero engine, is the power component of an aircraft propulsion system. Most aircraft engines are either piston engines or gas turbines, although a few have been rocket powered and in recent years many ...
.
The company was noted for its marketing of the aircraft at trade shows, such as
EAA AirVenture. They employed scantily-clad models to attract attention to the aircraft, something not normally seen at aircraft trade shows.
Specifications (Clipper)
References
{{Worldwide Ultralite aircraft
1980s United States ultralight aircraft
Homebuilt aircraft
Single-engined tractor aircraft
Worldwide Ultralite aircraft