Hovey Delta Bird

Delta Bird
Role	Ultralight aircraft
National origin	United States
Designer	Bob Hovey
Introduction	1982
Status	Production completed
Developed from	Hovey Whing Ding II

The Hovey Delta Bird is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Bob Hovey in 1982 and supplied as plans for amateur construction.^[1][2]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 218 lb (99 kg). It features a biplane wing configuration, a single-seat, open cockpit, conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.^[1]

The aircraft is made from pop-riveted and gusseted aluminum tubing, with the wings and tail surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. Its biplane wing has a top span of 24 ft (7.3 m), a bottom span of 20.3 ft (6.2 m), employs cabane struts and one set of interplane struts. The controls are conventional three-axis, with full-span ailerons on the top wing. The landing gear is bungee suspended and includes main wheel brakes and tailwheel steering. Common engines used include the 30 hp (22 kW) Cuyuna 430R in the Delta Bird and the 40 hp (30 kW) Kawasaki 440 in the Delta Hawk.^[1]

Variants

Delta Bird

Base model, an open cockpit design, with the pilot's seat mounted to the main keel tube.^[1][2]

Delta Hawk

Model with conventional fabric-covered fuselage, 248 lb (112 kg) empty weight and 445 lb (202 kg) gross weight.^[1][2]

Super Delta Hawk

Model with sheet aluminum covered fuselage.^[2]

Specifications (Delta Bird)

Data from Cliche and Virtual Ultralight Museum^[1][2]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Length: 15 ft 0 in (4.57 m)
• Upper wingspan: 24 ft 0 in (7.32 m)
• Lower wingspan: 20 ft 4 in (6.20 m)
• Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
• Wing area: 160 sq ft (15 m²)
• Empty weight: 218 lb (99 kg)
• Gross weight: 415 lb (188 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Cuyuna 430R , 30 hp (22 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 60 mph (97 km/h; 52 kn)
• Cruise speed: 45 mph (39 kn; 72 km/h)
• Stall speed: 26 mph (23 kn; 42 km/h)
• Never exceed speed: 80 mph (70 kn; 129 km/h)
• Range: 50 mi (43 nmi; 80 km)
• G limits: +3.5/-3.5
• Maximum glide ratio: 6:1
• Rate of climb: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s)
• Wing loading: 2.6 lb/sq ft (13 kg/m²)

References

1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-12 Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
2. Virtual Ultralight Museum (n.d.). "Delta Bird". Retrieved 7 November 2011.