Meadowlark Ultralight Meadowlark

American ultralight aircraft

Meadowlark

Role  | Ultralight aircraft

Type of aircraft

National origin | United States
Manufacturer  | Meadowlark Ultralight Corporation
Designer  | Jim Higgs
Introduction  | 1982
Status  | Production completed

The Meadowlark Ultralight Meadowlark is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Jim Higgs and produced by the Meadowlark Ultralight Corporation. The Meadowlark was supplied only as a factory completed aircraft.[1][2]

## Design and development

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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 251 lb (114 kg). It features a strut-braced high-wing, a single-seat, open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft fuselage is made from aluminum tubing. Its 35 ft (10.7 m) span wing is constructed in a similar manner to the Ultraflight Lazair's wing. It is built from D-cell spar and leading edge, with foam ribs bonded to the spar. The wing is then covered with transparent Mylar film for covering. The wing incorporates a quick-folding mechanism that allows it to be folded back along the fuselage for ground transport or for storage. The pilot is accommodated on an open seat without a windshield. The landing gear features suspension on all wheels and a steerable nosewheel. The Cuyuna 430R engine of 30 hp (22 kW) is mounted in front of the wing, above the pilot.[1][2]

Due to its introduction just before the collapse of the US ultralight industry in 1984, the design was not a commercial success and only a small number were completed and sold.[1]

## Specifications (Meadowlark)

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

General characteristics

* Crew: one
* Length: 19 ft (5.8 m)
* Wingspan: 35 ft (11 m)
* Height: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
* Wing area: 136 sq ft (12.6 m2)
* Empty weight: 251 lb (114 kg)
* Gross weight: 550 lb (249 kg)
* Fuel capacity: 3.7 U.S. gallons (14 L; 3.1 imp gal)
* Powerplant: 1 × Cuyuna 430R twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, 30 hp (22 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 55 mph (89 km/h, 48 kn)
* Cruise speed: 35 mph (56 km/h, 30 kn)
* Stall speed: 22 mph (35 km/h, 19 kn)
* Range: 90 mi (140 km, 78 nmi)
* g limits: +3.8/-1.5
* Maximum glide ratio: 8:1 at 30 mph (48 km/h)
* Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
* Rate of sink: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s)
* Wing loading: 4.04 lb/sq ft (19.7 kg/m2)

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page E-24. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
2. ^ a b c d Virtual Ultralight Museum (n.d.). "Meadowlark". Retrieved December 3, 2011.

## External links

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* Photo of a Meadowlark