Hiperlight SNS 9 bi-plane taildragger, Thunderbird Aviation
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Taildragger Aircraft Magazine - The Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer talks to Ron Jones about his stable of ultralight and experimental light sport aircraft. These include the Hiperlight SNS 8 single place and the SNS 9 two seat.
The single place Hiperlight SNS 8 can be factory built as a part 103 ultralight aircraft, and the SNS 9 is currently being prepared for lightsport aircraft certification to the ASTM standards.
The single seat SNS-8 Hiperlight was designed by the Sorrell brothers in 1982 at the request of the US Rotax engine distributor to provide an enclosed cockpit aircraft design to utilize the 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277 engine.
The resulting aircraft was a scaled-down version of the very successful Sorrell Hiperbipe aerobatic cabin biplane and with an empty weight of 247 lb (112 kg) fit the US ultralight category. The series designation of "SNS" stands for Sorrell Negative Stagger.
The aircraft is easy to fly, with light control forces and well balanced controls. The aircraft has full-span ailerons on the bottom wing. The design flies very well on as little as 28 hp.
The aircraft features a welded steel tube forward fuselage, with a detachable aluminum tube aft fuselage. The rear fuselage can be easily removed for transport or storage in ten minutes.
The wings are also constructed from aluminum tubes and the whole aircraft is covered in aircraft fabric. The SNS-8 has a maximum pilot weight of 230 lb (104 kg). The SNS-8 kit was estimated as taking 200–300 hours to assemble.
We also talk to Rory Olson a Hiperbipe owner, builder, pilot. The SNS-7 (Sorrell Negative Stagger, Model 7) was intended to give full unlimited aerobatic performance without sacrificing the comforts of a cabin-style aircraft. Rory has been using his aircraft in competition for many years and has over 1,000 hours on engine and airframe.
His Hiperbipe has recently undergone a recommended update in the wing, this update is going to be available from Hiperlight Aircraft.
Hiperlight SNS 9 bi-plane taildragger Specifications and Images
Two Place SNS-9
Wing Span 23' 4"
Length 18' 0"
Height 5' 4"
Wing Area 148 sq ft
Engine 503 Rotax
Fuel Capacity 10 gal
Empty Weight 360 lbs
Gross Weight 814 lbs
Useful Load 454 lbs
Time to Build with Standard Assembly Package 200 - 300 hrs
Performance Chart
Two Place SNS-9
Never Exceed Speed 113 mph
Maximum Cruise 85 mph
Range at Maximum Cruise 300 miles
Stall/Landing Speed 39 mph
Takeoff Distance (grass) 300 feet
Landing Roll with Brakes 300 feet
Rate of Climb @ 40 mph 600 ft/min
Glide ratio (engine off) 12:1
Rate of Sink 325 ft/min
Load Factor 3.8+/1.9-
The Hiperlight Aircraft is NOT aerobatic and
MUST BE FLOWN WITHIN DESIGN TOLERANCES.
Hiperlight SNS9 Video
The SNS-9 has a wingspan of 23.4 ft (7.1 m) versus the SNS-8's 22 ft (6.7 m), length and gross weight of 814 lb (369 kg).
The SNS-9 uses the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 as its standard powerplant, with the HKS, twin cylinder 4 stroke 60 HP aircraft engine also available.
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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.