Although the aircraft was designed before the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules came into force, the U-2 Superwing complies with them anyway (including the category's maximum empty weight of 254lb (115kg)). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 240lb (109kg). It features a cantilever mid-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration. The U-2 is a development of the high-wingB-10.[1]
The aircraft fuselage is made from welded steel tube, while the wing is of wood and foam, with dopedaircraft fabric covering. Its 34ft (10.4m) span wing employs a modified Wortmann FX05-191 airfoil. The flight controls are unconventional; pitch and roll are controlled by elevons and yaw is controlled by the wing tiprudders. The main landing gear has suspension and the nose wheel is steerable and equipped with a brake.[1][2]
The U-2 can accept a variety of engines ranging from 25 to 40hp (19 to 30kW) mounted in pusher configuration.[3]
Operational history
A pilot flying a U-2 set the World Record Altitude for Class C1 (single-engine land aircraft not exceeding 661lb (299.8kg) gross weight) in 1984 when he flew to 25,940ft (7,906.5m).[4]
