Fire crews say there are no hazards reported from the aircraft. But there is no way we would be where we are without some really great people. The aircraft was designed with safety in mind, and with it's "G" rating of 4, it proves to be one of the strongest ultralight aircraft around. A spokesperson with Pasco Fire Rescue says the NTSB has been notified. Hummels harmonized controls were delightful to use and I adjusted to them quickly, finding the UltraCruiser very desirable to fly. All parts are pre-cut, pre-drilled, and designed to make construction easy and streamlined for new and experienced builders. He said the two hardest things he had to do were getting the bulkheads lined up on the building beam, and remembering to stop working on it and go to bed! 37HP Hummel Engine with MGL ASV-1. Why should I jeopardize my precious digits just to start an engine? Steve always does whatever it takes to get it done. And above all, I thank God for it all. The pilot of a single-engine experimental plane lost power and attempted to land, deputies said. Hugus likes the view over the UltraCruisers nose while taxiing. Hand-start, run on test-stand only. At least two CA-2 models have been constructed. Qualities; Efficiency; Ease; Comparative values. wing fold. On December 18, 2012, about 1400 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Hummel H5, N156FH, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain shortly after taking off from Tom B. David Field (CZL), Calhoun, Georgia. The engine and firewall sustained heat damage, and most of the center section aft of the fire wall was consumed by fire. This was one of the first SNF events. While I was in the hospital for 5 months, I had time to think. Learn more today! . Additional Participating Entity: Harley Hargrove tells ABC Action News, it's time for her husband to take a break from flying. Full size Parts on (30)24x36 CAD drawn pages. Four-point seat restraints were appreciated. He suffered a broken left leg, a broken jaw, crushed face and lost his right leg below the knee. Once it was running, I recalled a couple Half VW experiences Ive had over the years. A: The Ultracruiser is capable of a maximum weight of 575 lbs. Reading about the Zodiac has me thinking. Certainly most pilots reaching the ripe age of 85 years would have hung up their wings and retired to the easy chair. Elevator sits very close to ground if field is rough; inspect carefully. Its 25ft (7.6m) span wing employs a Harry C. Riblett GA30-618 airfoil and has an area of 112sqft (10.4m2). Six months later, they were married and Myra moved from her home in Arkansas to Morrys home in Bryan, Ohio. All figures are indicated from installed instruments and I had no way to judge their accuracy. Usable on Hummel Aircraft Company designs. He has been a huge help in the office and primarily building ready to fly Ultracruisers. Most general aviation aircraft in the United States are registered to the FAA with respective tail numbers. The next thing is warm clothing and right after that, a sled. First plan sales were in 2001. Toxicology was positive for blood pressure medications that, by themselves, should not have degraded the pilots ability to safely operate the airplane but with other factors, could have resulted in low blood pressure, dizziness, or even unconsciousness. The ups and downs I have put this woman through over the last 44 years, you wouldnt believe. I had help along the way from my dear wife Myra and friends. "Very thankful he's still living," said Harley Hargrove. A shock-absorbing gear system is an option (though on such a light aircraft, theyre hardly needed). Bob Porter is a pilot and owns the property where the experimental aircraft crashed. Differential braking on test aircraft aided ramp maneuverability. letting the swelling go down from his foot to fix it. I once considered a Zodiac as my first kit plane. This means, in short, that it may be flown, without a pilot's license, medical certificate, or previous aircraft experience. PA. Oct 23, 2009. He writes, Flip the prop over once, and the Half VW comes to life. What do you think about a homebuilt designed Ercoupe? I found it an inspiring story. JavaScript is disabled. Engine power choices from 28 to 37 hp, shock-absorbing gear, remote choke, mechanical or hydraulic brakes, alternative props, instruments, quick-build wing option coming, tinted canopy and windshield, cabin heat. Then, about 300 feet above ground level, the airplane began a slow roll to the right, reaching about 90 degrees angle of bank and 60 degrees nose-down when it descended into trees heading about 300 degrees magnetic. When you open the throttle on the Half VW, the feeling and sound is much different than a 2-stroke. The aircraft was on its nose, partially in a tree, with one of the wings completely crumpled. Its designer, Morry Hummel, was not a young engineer with a passion for flying ultralights. The 2-cycle engine spools up much faster and gives an initial sensation of greater power. This is a part 103 legal UltraCruiser assembled from a kit. God had spared my life for a reason. He made these options available for his kits. "A 30-page step-by-step manual is very complete with all materials listed. Climb; Glide; Sink; Cruise/stall/max speeds; Endurance; Range; Maneuverability. The wreckage path angle of decent was about 60 degrees, heading approximately 290 degrees, and the wreckage came to rest in a dense thicket approximately 200 yards from the western edge of the airport property, approximately midfield. He made modifications to improve the balance of the Mosler engine and add a breather system. Still, Morry comes in every day, says Hallett. No electrics, and no canopy. Ace out to Oshkosh. The design can be built straight from plans up to, and including a full kit. However, some pedal extensions not unlike what little children have on their first tricycles so they can reach the pedals made the pivoting bar feel much like actual rudder pedals. No word yet on what caused the plane's engine to cut off. The plane was destroyed by fire after it crashed, Bergen said. Takeoff roll start is surprisingly energetic for a small 4-stroke engine. Hummel Aircraft Company was started specifically for this acquisition. And above all, I thank God for it all. The heart weighed 420 grams (normal range for a male of this weight is 281 - 489 grams). First and foremost, Steve Gigax. The UltraCruiser is an FAR Part 103 Compliant Ultralight aircraft. iLevil 3 AW or 3 AP as primary flight instruments, Instruments / Avionics / Electrical System. My test UltraCruiser went too fast, but the prop can easily contain the machine, assures Hummel Aviation. New ready-to-fly Ultracruiser. Despite the smoothly contoured aluminum fuselage, the UltraCruiser showed respectable slips. CALHOUN, Ga. (AP) Police and federal officials say a single-engine plane crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff in northwestern Georgia. To put more definition on the performance of the Half VW engines that Hummel uses, I recorded a few power and speed ranges. Hummel Aviation has a Website with a good deal of information that prospective buyers may want to study. It happened just west of the airport. Learn more today! Vinyl wrap. Cabin is roomy enough for pilots weighing less than 200 pounds and less than six feet tall. Great builder and test pilot. . In a maximum climbout evaluation I logged 3,350 to 3,400 rpm with the throttle fully opened. After exchanging telephone numbers they went on to see their families. He'd made all the forms and patterns himself. Three years after my accident, I started building the UltraCruiser. Affordability, and the info about several of them folding up in level flight have pretty much nixed that plane off my list of potential a/c. Minimum instruments and price. I've not read anything particularly bad about the Hummel designs, just curious as Ive been leaning toward purchase of a set of H-5 plans. Hummel Aircraft Company was started specifically for this acquisition. The Hummel Ultra Cruiser single engine plane's tail number is registered to James Hargrove, of Tampa. [1] [2] Contents 1 Design and development When you add power the nose rises, though not swiftly, and on power decreases the nose tips downward slightly. Hummel UltraCruiser, Part 103 Legal Ultralight Hummel Aircraft Ultralight Aircraft Buyers Guide 2022https://www.patreon.com/lightsportandultralightflyer - He. And probably most of all, my wife Deb. The companys demonstration aircraft is located at the Livingston County Airport in Howell, Michigan. Includes complete Tail, Outerwing(s), Controls and Finish kits. The overall control experience was satisfying. I was told it burns about 2 gallons per hour, which makes it one of the most fuel-efficient engines you can install on an ultralight. Is Florida getting another Buc-ees location? She is the best. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report. However, a slow approach speed will also help contain the landing roll. Bargain price by anyones standard: can be flying for less than $8,000. Not the least of which was my first meeting with Morry and Myra Hummel. The UltraCruiser can be purchased as plans-only, partial kit, or full parts-kit. Then if you back far enough, we had Mike Ingram and Tammy Sperling. It lacks the big engine sound of more potent powerplants, but its audibly different than any 2-stroke. Based on proven Hummel Bird design, which has a long history. He and his grandson immediately rushed down to the crash site to find the pilot bloody but alive. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Plans and Manual for constructing the UltraCruiser. The exact extent of cardiac disease and whether there had been any recent coronary events could not be determined. Superb visibility while checking for incoming traffic. Read more below, or look at buying a kit on our store page! The H5 is a complete redesign and features a full 4-cylinder VW engine. Contact us for information about engine suppliers. Pros All-American design for those who enjoy single-place flying. I lost my right leg below the knee, my left leg was badly broken, and my face crushed. If you are larger than that, the H5 would be a better choice. The UltraCruisers tailwheel lifts quickly and ground run was short. The UltraCruisers flight qualities really put a smile on myface. Excellent visibility throughout landing approach. Pros Many pilots believe safety is enhanced when the engine is in front of the pilot. 37HP Hummel Engine with MGL ASV-1. Landings went very well. The FAA inspector also noted that according to FAA records, the pilot did not hold a current FAA medical certificate, but that the airplane met the definition as a light sport aircraft and a current driver's license was appropriate to meet the medical requirements. When I get an idea and just takeoff, Steve is the guy that reins me in and sets a better pace. If you choose from Hummel Aviations optional parts you will increase your investment in dollars while decreasing your investment in labor hours. Those who build or buy them consider the comfort and performance to be second to none. Add to cart. 37 HP 1/2 VW engine with. Recently completed Ultracruiser from kit (240 build hours) with the following add-ons: Canopy, Throttle, Cabin Heat, Spinner. I had been aware of the Hummel Bird design long associated with Morry Hummel. Part 103 while canopy not in use. Stalls broke only modestly and with good warning. Landing touchdown is very easy due to potent ground effect. UltraCruiser is built using full-size parts shown on plans. The production facilities have been movedfrom Ohio to Michigan. This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Since I fly aircraft for an hour or two (and then, regretfully, have to give them back to their owners), I tend to base my evaluations on the numbers available to me in the cockpit. It is still one of the only all metal part 103 ultralights in the world. The UltraCruiser was born under rather unusual circumstances. Anyone have any insight? Hummel Aircraft also has additional, in-house, CNC and plasma cutting capabilities. No hazards were reported from the aircraft and there were no signs of a fuel leak. But I did find the aircraft behaves conventionally on power changes. $ 260.00. 0:00 / 2:09 1500 hours in HUMMEL ULTRA CRUISER!!! NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report. What he didnt know, was that the elevator was hooked up backwards and when he attempted to fly it he never got airborne, but instead landed the plane on its back. But, like all pilots, I make my share of mistakes. A good list of parts is available Hummels Internet site offers photos of the prefabricated parts you can buy but you must obtain much of your own metal and perform a significant amount of basic fabrication. The airplane impacted a tree then the ground before coming to rest upright in a nose-low attitude. Only simple shop tools are required," clarified Hummel. Construction time from the supplied kit is estimated as 420 hours. Ground clearance is minimal at tail; keep your tail flying in the event of an out-landing. "He was bruised all over but he was still coherent and able to talk to us.". "While I was in the hospital for 5 months, I had time to think. Its also different from the Rotax 912 series, which run at nearly twice the revolutions. One builder indicated that he invested $3,750 in a VW engine conversion, close to $3,000 in materials, and a year of his time (and the latter reflects some prior experience at building). (Empty weight can be as low at 254 lbs). Is the UltraCruiser Plus the new H5 mentioned in the article? I very much liked flying with this engine. The Hummel Ultracruiser can. I was pleasantly surprised at the acceleration. Contrarily, Hugus finds the ground steering very brisk, which suggests a rudder size issue, not a rudder pedal linkage one. Once inside, youre surrounded by shiny metal. Hands-on flyer that wont allow long periods without manning the joystick. Morry rebuilt the plane and flew it from Bryan, Ohio to Sun-n-Fun and back in January of 1977. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. However, I cannot verify the very slow touchdown speed he reports and Im aware most gauges are not accurate at such low speeds. The plane went down around 2:30 Monday afternoon less than five miles from Zephyrhills Municipal. According to the NTSB Medical Factual Report review of the autopsy results, "the examination of the heart identified atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. He promised Him that he would tell people about Jesus if he would let him live through these injuries. This should be the final word on this subject. Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other persons, such as threats to cause bodily harm, or that contain obscene or otherwise objectionable content, may result in the loss of your posting privileges. $18,000. We are excited to see how far Hummel can go and cant wait to see everyone at OshKosh 2021 (booth 946 in Ultralight Area). [1][3][5], By December 2011 100 examples had been completed and flown. Hummel is also known for use of VW engine conversions. Unfortunately he forgot to go He blacked out. Jacobs concludes that after flying 43 different ultralights, the UltraCruiser is one of the nicest hes flown. The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 249lb (113kg). Share on facebook. Learn how your comment data is processed. , Compass, Airspeed, T&S, Engine Gauges included. I bent it out of the way for some of the other pictures. The VW conversion is a Hummel creation now built by another company. The FAA inspector also noted that the airplane had accumulated 3.8 hours of total flight time as part of its initial Phase I operating limitations for an amateur-built aircraft. . Steve is my mentor, confidant, and throttle. The crash occurred during the 3rd circuit. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated about 16 minutes earlier from the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZPH), Zephyrhills, Florida, about 1400. 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