TYPE: Side-by-side kitbuilt.
PROGRAMME: Designed by Mark Brown. Prototype first flew 3 April 1988 as two-seat version of Aero Designs Star-Lite (itself first flown in 1983). Originally with 47.8 kW (64.1 hp) Rotax 582 engine. Until suspended in 1999, in favour of Super Pulsar, parallel main production versions were Pulsar II, with 59.6 kW (79.9 hp) Rotax 912 UL and Pulsar III with 84.6 kW (113.4 hp) turbocharged Rotax 914, giving improved performance. Larger canopy and redesigned cowling with chin intake; 100 per cent mass-balanced controls. Nose- and tailwheel versions of both were available. Programme acquired by SkyStar in late 1996 and by Pulsar in 1999.
CURRENT VERSIONS: Super Pulsar 100: Refined version of Pulsar III with repositioned tail unit for improved stability and higher, wider cabin. Prototype (N601SP) first flew August 2000 but damaged 20 August 2000; flight testing resumed 2 April 2001 and aircraft made public debut at Sun 'n' Fun 13 April 2001; by April 2002, 228 hours had been flown by prototype. Tailwheel version under consideration.
Description applies to Super Pulsar 100.
Wega: Version of Pulsar II-914 Turbo, certified to JAR-VLA with 600 kg (1,323 lb) maximum T-O weight, marketed by HK Aircraft Technology in Germany, which see.
Pulsar XP: Returned to production in 2001 as kit; cost US$22,950 (2003).
CUSTOMERS: More than 250 of all Pulsar variants flying by mid-2003, with a further 300 then under construction.
COSTS: Basic Super Pulsar kit (no engine) US$26,950 (2003); fast-build options add US$7,500.
DESIGN FEATURES: Highly streamlined low-wing configuration, with sweptback fin. Designed for ease of home construction with premoulded components where possible. Wings removable in about 15 minutes for mounting on trailer. Quoted build time 1,000 hours, or 600 hours for 'Super' kit.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual; 60 per cent mass-balanced surfaces operated by rods and cables.
STRUCTURE: GFRP with carbon fibre and foam cores. Wing skins of composites.
LANDING GEAR: Tricycle type; fixed. Hydraulic brakes.
POWER PLANT: One 88.0 kW (118 hp) Pulsar Aeromaxx flat-four piston engine recommended; alternatively 93 kW (125 hp) Teledyne Continental IO-240, 59.7 kW (80 hp) Jabiru 2200 or 89 kW (120 hp) Jabiru 3300. Fuel capacity 144 litres (38.0 US gallons; 31.6 Imp gallons).