Belite Chipper, Chipper two place experimental aircraft from Belite Aircraft.
Over the years he has introduced aircraft built from 4130 chromoly steel, carbon fiber, and a combination of both. He has also designed some of the lightest and most accurate aircraft instruments on the market.
This year at the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo he introduced his latest aircraft which at the time was called the Pipper, for a number or reasons, which we won't get into he has had to change it to the Chipper.
Belite Chipper Experimental Amateurbuilt Aircraft Images
Sebring was just a couple of months ago, and at the time all James had to show us was a chunk of metal, and a conceptual drawing of what he envisioned his craft would look like when completed
In April at Sun N Fun 2017 he had a completed Chipper, and while it hadn't flown yet, it was quite an accomplishment for him and his crew to design and build it to that stage is just three months!
The Chipper is a side by side seating, experimental aircraft in a tractor configuration. It is a strut braced, high wing taildragger, which can be powered by a number of engines, from the two stroke Rotax 582, to the four stroke HKS and Rotax 912 series of engines.
The craft can be equipped with either seven or fourteen gallon wing tanks, giving between four and seven hours of flight depending on engine choice.
The craft uses honeycomb aluminum, rivet together construction. According to James "the kit is easy to build, with all of the big pieces coming precut into the correct shape". "Using the honeycomb aluminum is very light weight and gives the Chipper extordinary strength."
"Honeycomb aluminum" has aluminum facing on both sides with a hexagonal aluminum bonded structure inside, alot like you would see if you look at the cross section of a cardboard box. This type of material and construction is "probably used in most civil airliners in the world."
To produce the craft in just over 90 days James indicated "sleep is optional, friends are mandatory and a loving wife even more mandatory." "We went from a clean sheet of paper to airworthiness certificate in less than 90 days!" "All made possible by the enormous help received, and from Landon March who showed up evenings and weekends to help get things done."
James also attributes the quick build time to the use of Oratex fabric, which comes pre-painted, thus is a one step process, just apply glue to the fabric and structure, let dry, apply heat the the fabric is bonded to the structure, then just heat to shrink!"
The Chipper is built on a large flat table, with the building a lot like building an all metal aircraft like a Zenith. James estimates a build time for an experienced builder in the 600 to 800 hour range.
Flight controls consist of standard three axis aircraft controls with a center mounted stick and rudder pedals, connected to a steerable tailwheel. Suspension is provide by aluminum landing gear legs and a spring tailwheel.
James indicates that he will be delivering sub kits in April 2017, with full kit delivery expected in May.
For more information visit www.beliteaircraft.com
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