Al Mulford's Ultralight Escape

A Pilots eye view of flying the twin engine Hummingbird Ultralight near Medford Oregon

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• ultralight
• aircraft
• hummingbird
• sport
• plane
• flying
• formation
• twin
• engine
• al
• mulford
• best
• medford
• oregon

[fatdice911]

I seem to recall you were using Swedish Partner chain-saw engines when I saw this fine UL back in, when was it, 1982?

[almulford]

@fatdice911 You are correct. We were using Partner chain-saw engines around 1982. They were 7 hp. each.

[pipkeajaj]

You could use so many engines...Konig Radial, Simoninni, JPX corsair, MZ 34,Solo 21O, Polini Thor and many more...A cheap one but reliable with cheap available spares is the Radne Racket Aero with redrive with centrifugal clutch as do have many others, just search in the paramotor world, even a Wankel is available. Radne really has some 13hp std, but can be souped up, though against reliability.You can make a light streamlight pod as the Flightstar as as option...

[almulford]

@pipkeajaj It is tempting... There is a small airport in my area for sale with hangars, and large buildings, and even a machine shop. Perfect for an ultralight factory. I had a hangar there for awhile for the Flightstar I have. All it would take is an investor to help me out :-) I also had thoughts of electric power, if and when the batteries got lighter.

[pipkeajaj]

Read general information of Gemini International in the web...besides tech specs of the plane.

I see it should be perfectly suitable as an ultralight today...Maybe even better than in its heyday...Dont know if in the USA a twin engined can fit the part 103? Twin engines is safer for the pilot and the third parties on the ground...It should be a plus...11:1 glide ratio? Is that true?

57mph cruise? Isnt that on the high side? Cruise arround 45 mph? I like it!

[almulford]

@pipkeajaj We, (Gemini International) were the only ones that built the "Hummingbird". It was a complete factory built ultralight, and each one test flown by me. I know the Lazair well. It was the only other twin at that time. You are correct, 45mph was the cruise. 11:1 glide is not correct, it was more like 9:1. Often thought about bringing the "Hummingbird" back, especially with all the new engines available now. Depending on Part 103.

[pipkeajaj]

Investors...Im in Uruguay South America faaaar away...Maybe a friend of mine may chat on this subject. He lives in USA and is a pilot and enthusiast of light flight...I have sent him this video and informed him a little. Something good may come by, who can tell....Regards, Alan.

[pipkeajaj]

Do it!! Bring it back! Why wouldn't it do well? Paramotoring has opened the eyes for real basic/portable/minimal personal flight for many and a new general enthusiasm has come, many dont like the ram air wings or cant footlaunch them so they look elsewere...A twin place that can maintain level on one engine would be great too...I guess the only twin (sail and tube) now is the Leza AirCam?...Very expensive and heavy.First in line should be the basic Hummingbird...

[pipkeajaj]

Some 34kgs out of 7hp? Is that correct? I have been in the paramotor world since 94 and never got close to that figures with 7hp. Tried many reductions and props...Who designed the Hummingbird? Was it manufactured by more than one? Unless it had a great flaw in some respect It could be very interesting today with so many paramotor engines available now! Specially if capable of keeping aloft on one engine! Other than the Lazair there arent many twin engined ultralights...Regards.

[almulford]

@pipkeajaj Yes 14 hp, reduction drive. We measured each engines thrust at 80 lbs (partner engines). The limbach engines were direct drive, You could actually takeoff and fly on just one engine. Wingspan was 32', full 3 axis controlled. The "V" tail was great! A mechanical mixer hook up. It flew and handled great. Even today I get email from people that still have and fly the "Hummingbird" Ultralight. Many have refitted it with engines found today.