Early Bird Jenny taildragger aircraft, by Dennis Wiley.

Taildragger Aircraft Magazine -  Early Bird Jenny, Dennis Wiley's plans built experimental amateurbuilt WWI replica aircraft. In this issue we speak to Dan Horton about his plans built Early Bird Jenny, design by Dennis Wiley.

Dan spent nearly 5 years building the Canadian version of the Early Bird Jenny. This allowed him to move the center of gravity of the aircraft rearward so that his 6 foot frame could fit more comfortably in the plane.

The Early Bird Jenny uses a welded 4130 chromoly steel fuselage, with the wing constructed from aluminum tubing. The Jenny is covered in standard aircraft covering materials. Building times are reported to be between 1000 and 1500 hrs. when building from plans.
Power for the Early Bird Jenny is supplied by a three cylinder Suzuki engine taken from a Chevy Sprint.

Dan has modified the ignition system so that he has dual ignition, he also has three carburetors feeding the three cylinders on the engine, so that the engine produces just over 65 hp. Dan also designed a belt reduction drive for his plane, as well as a steerable tail skid. The aircraft uses a standard stick and rudder control system, with a center mounted stick and left hand throttle.

Dan's Early Bird Jenny takes off in about 150 feet, climbs out at gross at 500 ft./m, and when flown solo at over 800 ft./m. Cruise comes in at 60 to 65 mph.

Length: 18 ft 4 in (5.59 m)
Wingspan: 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Wing area: 175.0 sq ft (16.26 m2)
Empty weight: 419 lb (190 kg)
Gross weight: 800 lb (363 kg)
Fuel capacity: 9 U.S. gallons (34 L; 7.5 imp gal)
Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, inline, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 50 hp (37 kW)
Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Early Bird Jenny Performance Specifications
Maximum speed: 70 mph (113 km/h; 61 kn)
Cruise speed: 65 mph (56 kn; 105 km/h)
Stall speed: 35 mph (30 kn; 56 km/h)
Range: 130 mi (113 nmi; 209 km)
Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,267 m)
Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
Wing loading: 4.6 lb/sq ft (22 kg/m2)

The Early Bird Jenny is an American homebuilt aircraft that was designed by Dennis Wiley and produced by the Early Bird Aircraft Company of Erie.

The aircraft was supplied as a kit and also in the form of plans for amateur construction 

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Ultralight Aircraft Magazine - Welcome to the Ultralight Aircraft News our goal is to cover as many aircraft expositions that host aircraft described as ultralight aircraft, light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt aircraft that fit into the definition of ultralight aircraft in Canada or light sport aircraft, or experimental amateurbuilt light sport aircraft in the United States. 

These include three axis control aircraft, weight shift control aircraft, more commonly known as trikes, powered parachutes, helicopters, gyrocopters and powered para-gliders that meet the light sport or ultralight aircraft definition.

Airshows and aircraft expositions that we cover include, the Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, E.A.A.'s Sun N Fun, E.A.A.'s Airventure, the Midwest LSA Show, Copperstate, UPAC Convention and Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany. We try to regularly attend regional shows like the Arlington Fly-In, and Rocky Mountain Fly-In. 

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