TYPE: Single-seat sportplane kitbuilt.
PROGRAMME: Single-seat version of four-place Aerocar IMP ('Independently Made Plane'); first flown in mid-1970s (ahead of Imp); fitted in early 1976 with folding wing. Marketed as minimal kit or plans-only homebuilt by Aerocar Inc.
Relaunched as partial kit by current owner in April 2002.
CUSTOMERS: Some 25 of original series sold as minimal kits, of which between six and 10 have flown, including one in Brazil.
COSTS: Kit US$12,500 (2002), excluding engine.
DESIGN FEATURES: Compact, high-speed lightplane of high aerodynamic efficiency; mid-mounted, engine and propeller at extreme rear to achieve low cross-sectional area and minimal airflow interruption. 'Inverted butterfly' tail surfaces. Drive-shaft resonance obviated by Flexodyne coupling.
High, constant-chord wing, with downturned tips; wings foldable for storage in 10 minutes; flaperons deflect +10° in cruising flight to unload tail surfaces and increase speed.
Aerofoil GA-PC(1).
FLYING CONTROLS: Manual. Almost full-span flaperons. Inverted V ruddervators with 40° anhedral.
STRUCTURE: Aluminium overall, with glass fibre for some non-structural parts.
LANDING GEAR: Tricycle type. Electric retraction. Mainwheels hinge upwards, legs stowed in fuselage side, wheels in wing; nosewheel retracts forward on separate electrical circuit. Optional spring aluminium mainwheel legs. Typical tyre sizes 5.00-5 main; 10x3.50-4 nose.
POWER PLANT: Mid-mounted power plant of 60 to 75 kW (80 to 100 hp), including Teledyne Continental O-200, Rotax 912 or Jabiru 3300. Internal cooling fan.
Centre-section fuel tank, capacity 45 litres (12.0 US gallons; 10.0 Imp gallons). Optional external wingtip tanks, each 34 litres (9.0 US gallons; 7.5 Imp gallons).