UFM Easy Riser

The UFM Easy Riser is an American swept wing biplane hang glider that was first powered in 1975, becoming the first modern ultralight aircraft. The Easy Riser was still in production as an unpowered glider in 2002 by Ultralight Flying Machines.[1][2][3][4]

UFM Easy Riser
Role Hang glider & Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Ultralight Flying Machines
Designer Larry Mauro & John Moody
First flight 1975 (powered ultralight)
Status In limited production (hang glider version, 2002)
Variants Mauro Solar Riser
Pterodactyl Light Flyer

Design and development

The Easy Riser was developed by Larry Mauro from the earlier Kiceniuk Icarus II biplane hang glider. An engine was installed by John Moody in 1975 so the glider could be launched from flat terrain.[1][5]

Early powered versions consisted simply of a motor added to the foot-launched hang glider version with control by a combination of weight shift for pitch and tip rudders for roll and yaw, with the tip rudders used together as air brakes. Because many pilots could not run fast enough to achieve take-off wheeled tricycle gear was added. The aircraft exhibited poor pitch stability so a horizontal stabilizer and elevator was added. Finally on later versions the tip rudders were replaced with a tail-mounted rudder.[1]

The Easy Riser is constructed with an aluminium structure and stamped ribs, covered in doped aircraft fabric covering, Mylar or other coverings. The pilot sits on a fabric sling seat. Engines used include the 11 hp (8 kW) McCulloch MAC-101, 15 hp (11 kW) Hirth F-36 and Solo 210.[1]

Easy Risers were produced in large numbers until the ultralight market downturn of the early 1980s when the type was taken out of production. Later the unpowered glider version was put back into limited production.[1][4]

In 1979 Larry Mauro installed solar cells and an electric motor on a stock Easy Riser and the resulting Mauro Solar Riser become the first solar powered aircraft to carry a person aloft.[6][7]

Aircraft on Display

Specifications (Easy Riser ultralight)

Data from EAA[10]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
  • Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
  • Height: 4 ft (1.2 m)
  • Wing area: 170 sq ft (16 m2)
  • Empty weight: 120 lb (54 kg)
  • Gross weight: 320 lb (145 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × McCulloch MAC-101 two-stroke, single cylinder engine, 11 hp (8.2 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden, 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 25 mph (40 km/h, 22 kn)
  • Stall speed: 20 mph (32 km/h, 17 kn)
  • Range: 100 mi (160 km, 87 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 9,000 ft (2,700 m)
  • Rate of climb: 300 ft/min (1.5 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 1.88 lb/sq ft (9.2 kg/m2)

Notable appearances in media
Main article: Aircraft in fiction § UFM Easy Riser

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-14. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  2. Experimental Aircraft Association (2011). "UFM EASY RISER". Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  3. Experimental Aircraft Association (2011). "UFM-APP EASY RISER". Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  4. Moody, John (2002). "CURRENT EASYRISER INFO". Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  5. Rogers, Bennett: 1974 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 99. Soaring Society of America, August 1974. USPS 499-920
  6. Experimental Aircraft Association (2011). "UFM/MAURO SOLAR RISER". Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  7. AIAA/SAE/ASME 20th Joint Propulsion Conference (1984). "AIAA paper 84-1429" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  8. Canadian Air & Space Museum (2011). "Easy Riser Ultralight". Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  9. US Southwest Soaring Museum (2010). "Sailplanes, Hang Gliders & Motor Gliders". Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  10. Experimental Aircraft Association (2011). "UFM EASY RISER Specifications". Retrieved 6 March 2011.
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