Making its debut at the Midwest LSA Expo Sept. 10-12, 2020, was Aeromarine‘s new Part 103 ultralight aircraft, the Merlin Lite.
In unveiling the new ultralight, designer Chip W. Erwin made a bold claim: “This is not your ‘1980s ultralight.’ I know. I was there. Our new Merlin Lite has real aircraft features and appeal: Seven windows, a cockpit door, decent baggage capacity and space, an instrument panel with an EFIS and GPS. And the list goes on.”
The Merlin Lite is available as either trike or taildragger and features all-aluminum construction, dual independent hydraulic brakes, tundra tires, 5-position flaps, pushrod controls with bearings, and a large luggage area, with the CG envelope to use it, according to Erwin.
The 50° Fowler flaps and tundra tires with independent dual brakes make the Merlin Lite an ultralight bush plane, he added.
Based on the Merlin, a single-seat personal sport aircraft that costs under $40,000 and cruises at 120 mph, the Merlin Lite’s cockpit is almost as large as the Merlin’s, but the powerplant is scaled down and the 3-D tapered wing aspect ratio is increased, company officials explained.
The Merlin Lite is available finished or can be built as an Experimental and flown with a sport pilot or even glider license as a motor-glider.
When configured as an ultralight, the Merlin Lite meets the FAA’s Part 103 rules, which means no license, medical, registration, or certification is required.
In addition to the enclosed cockpit with a door, air vents, and seven windows, other features included in this Part 103 Ultralight are electric trim, an EFIS with artificial horizon and GPS, a dual-ignition, liquid-cooled and electric start engine with an EMS. The 12VDC system also includes a USB charger outlet for a phone or iPad.
Options include cabin heat and defroster, temper foam seats, and long range fuel tanks (in E-AB class).
The introductory price of $35,500 includes a BRS 500 emergency airframe parachute system.
The order book is now open and current waiting time — depending on configuration and options — is five months, according to company officials.
This looks like a great project/flyer. I built, flew for 20 years and then sold my GlaStar. I need a new project.
would sure like some figures. fuel capacity, gross weight, cabin width. Love the looks and made of metal.
would like the specs on this. gross, engine size, cabin width, fuel capacity.
What a great looking airplane. Hope they sell well.