Chip is an amazing man!! He goes the extra mile to get things done right!! I personally met Chip at Oshkosh for the first time in 2021!! My brother and I had a sit down with him!! He was relaxed and answered all our questions with out hesitation!! He truly knows his planes!! He is a no nonsense type of man!! Tells you just the way it is!! I appreciate talking with a man of this caliber!! If you think of how many times and hours that you fly alone/with the second seat only being used as a phone holder. This plane has a price point that can’t be beat!! Just saying.
Dan, where's the follow up? I'm having to weigh the pro's and con's of the Merlin Lite compared to the Badland F5 Fujita. Both are great looking Part 103 Ultralight aircraft. The Badland F series come in 5 different kits (F1 through F4 are standard steel tube frame design and as low as $12K minus engine and instruments and F5 has a titanium frame). Both aircraft are the type of ultralight I want, nicely enclosed cabin, 3 axis control, bush capable, and simply all around nice looking aircraft. My future retirement home base is going to be Keystone Heights (42J) and either of these two would be an excellent choice. Patiently waiting for your future report and video.
It is amazing something so big could be so lite. It seem like one bad landing could fold it up. I would like to see how the main spar made. It is just brilliant at that price you could have something that looks like a real plane made of metal. Very Nice! I am not a pilot just an old gearhead.
The process is to weight all three points with all three scales in rotation. This gives you 3 readings for each point which are averaged out. This nullifies the scale differential error
I would like one of these. It would be great next to my motorcycles. Lets see, do I ride or fly today? Decisions decisions. Lol. The heck with it, I'll do both.
Hummel Ultracrusier can make weight with a 4 stroke engine (no starter). They will build it for you if you want. I bought a Polini for my Ultracrusier, but did not like the mounting arrangement so I sold it and got a 1/2 VW. Polini also has had some problems with the starters and recently the gear box.
Looks great and needs a cowl to smooth out the shape. Doesn't need any doors. Dan, you haven't explained how the legal weight was achieved with a full-metal fuselage?
The aircraft should be level when weighing, fuel tanks full, oil full, cowl on. If the fuel isn't full it should have the unusable fuel included and the controls neutral. This will give you an accurate weight and the CG.
I was watching that, but yeah, they were only interested in weight at the time, not CofG. That said, I would have thought common bathroom scales should read 32lbs? Might need to push down on them to activate, but should then keep reading back to 32lbs. I'm sure it could have been lighter with strutted wings, the drag at those speed is not worth worrying about (ask Cessna...)
Hello Dan I have been following you for a while with your interesting videos. I live in saint petersburg florida and I am trying to find an ultralite instructor in my area. Do you know of any one doing it.
Simply awesome, checks all the boxes, and appears to be STOL capable. Has Merlin thought about introducing a 'pusher prop' config.?, and/or Trike gear config.?
Umm...They have the capability to convert to "trike gear " if you spec out it that way. No extra costs. Looking at the airframe... I don't know how you would configure a "pusher" w/o changing the whole airframe and aestetics and make weight...???
Can you make one of these… and later turn it into a home built experimental if you want and get the home build A&P for the aircraft if you keep the records of more than 50% build?
hummel bird (or the 103 compliant version) vs this? My knowledge is the only two full metal part 103 on the market sub $40k. The twin engine crickit I suppose but too small for me.
The engine was designed for power parachutes in the pusher configuration ? Has anything been done to the gearbox to handle the pulling forces in the tractor configuration?
So with Part 103, I know there is a rule about 55kts being the top speed. Does that just mean you are supposed to keep it under 55 or is the plane not supposed to be capable of going faster?
"(3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and (4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed."
Sure I'm not an American but I don't get this version of the Merlin (Yes I understand you don't need a licence...but what's wrong with a licence if medicals are not an issue?)
The US has a lot of empty space (Mid-west among other places) having a simple aircraft that doesn't require any Licensing of any kind is nice for those areas. Essentially a flying dirt bike.
Nice Plane but has a Poor Engine choice. You have to spend $4,500 more for a BRS to maybe make Part 103! It shouldn't come down to ozs. The trade-off is Doors vs Cowell! The Polini Install is 55 lbs, which puts it over Part 103 by 3-4 lbs without the Doors. With a Hirth F33 313cc Electric Start, 45 lbs it makes USA Part 103 Weight, No Expensive BRS is needed. With a Compact Radial MZ34 313cc, it also makes USA Part 103. With a Simonini Mini 3, it makes USA Part 103. USA Part 103 254 lbs with a BRS Exemption 24 lbs = 278 lbs. With their Numbers with Doors & Cowelling, it's over 278 Lbs. The MZ34 was designed by Zanzottera in Itlay who offered it in both 26hp@6250rpm and 38hp@6450rpm with a Tuned Pipe. Zanzottera Sold it to Compact Radial who years later sold it to Fiate Aviation in China. Both the Hirth F33 1000hr TBO and the MZ34 are 313cc with ????hr TBO vs the Polini 400hr TBO. The Simonini Mini 3 even has a 600hr TBO. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanzottera_MZ_34
Hey, no: (1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;
Chip is an amazing man!!
He goes the extra mile to get things done right!!
I personally met Chip at Oshkosh for the first time in 2021!!
My brother and I had a sit down with him!! He was relaxed and answered all our questions with out hesitation!!
He truly knows his planes!!
He is a no nonsense type of man!!
Tells you just the way it is!!
I appreciate talking with a man of this caliber!!
If you think of how many times and hours that you fly alone/with the second seat only being used as a phone holder. This plane has a price point that can’t be beat!! Just saying.
Dan, where's the follow up? I'm having to weigh the pro's and con's of the Merlin Lite compared to the Badland F5 Fujita. Both are great looking Part 103 Ultralight aircraft. The Badland F series come in 5 different kits (F1 through F4 are standard steel tube frame design and as low as $12K minus engine and instruments and F5 has a titanium frame). Both aircraft are the type of ultralight I want, nicely enclosed cabin, 3 axis control, bush capable, and simply all around nice looking aircraft. My future retirement home base is going to be Keystone Heights (42J) and either of these two would be an excellent choice. Patiently waiting for your future report and video.
Oh wow
I want one so bad 🥰
Simple and safe.
Can't ask for more than that
It is amazing something so big could be so lite. It seem like one bad landing could fold it up. I would like to see how the main spar made. It is just brilliant at that price you could have something that looks like a real plane made of metal. Very Nice! I am not a pilot just an old gearhead.
I need one! Nice!
Very interested...... can’t wait to see more..
Fully cantilevered wing and fowler flaps- impressive!
I'm interested in the E-Flyer Glider version. Thank you for offering such an affordable aircraft.
The process is to weight all three points with all three scales in rotation. This gives you 3 readings for each point which are averaged out. This nullifies the scale differential error
I would like one of these. It would be great next to my motorcycles. Lets see, do I ride or fly today? Decisions decisions. Lol. The heck with it, I'll do both.
My lifelong dream has been to fly to Oshkosh in an airplane that I built. The Merlin or the Merlin Lite would work.
It would be interesting to see this aircraft's stability / flight characteristics compared to other ultralight aircraft. Thanks for posting.
So cool, I really want one.
Would be interested in seeing a slightly more expensive and powerful two seat version.
It’s actually been confirmed. I believe they’re shipping too if you’re interested enough, look on his site it’s called the Merlin 2.
Hummel Ultracrusier can make weight with a 4 stroke engine (no starter). They will build it for you if you want. I bought a Polini for my Ultracrusier, but did not like the mounting arrangement so I sold it and got a 1/2 VW. Polini also has had some problems with the starters and recently the gear box.
Looks great and needs a cowl to smooth out the shape. Doesn't need any doors. Dan, you haven't explained how the legal weight was achieved with a full-metal fuselage?
The aircraft should be level when weighing, fuel tanks full, oil full, cowl on. If the fuel isn't full it should have the unusable fuel included and the controls neutral. This will give you an accurate weight and the CG.
It's supposed to be empty weight ... no fuel and no oil. 254 pounds empty weight or with an additional 25 pounds for the parachute system.
I was watching that, but yeah, they were only interested in weight at the time, not CofG.
That said, I would have thought common bathroom scales should read 32lbs?
Might need to push down on them to activate, but should then keep reading back to 32lbs.
I'm sure it could have been lighter with strutted wings, the drag at those speed is not worth worrying about (ask Cessna...)
Hello Dan I have been following you for a while with your interesting videos. I live in saint petersburg florida and I am trying to find an ultralite instructor in my area. Do you know of any one doing it.
Is it all aluminum skin or some type or oratec type wrap?
You usually review “affordable” aircraft that cost more than my house. Paul Bertorelli would be proud.
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I think Earthstar, Titan, & Hummelbird, were metal 103's decades ago
How much,? It looks perfect for Australian conditions, excellent work people. ps. What's the approximate range?
Simply awesome, checks all the boxes, and appears to be STOL capable. Has Merlin thought about introducing a 'pusher prop' config.?, and/or Trike gear config.?
Umm...They have the capability to convert to "trike gear " if you spec out it that way. No extra costs. Looking at the airframe... I don't know how you would configure a "pusher" w/o changing the whole airframe and aestetics and make weight...???
Ok, ok sense we've gone this far, how about a folding wing or a quick and E Z to removable wing?
Can you make one of these… and later turn it into a home built experimental if you want and get the home build A&P for the aircraft if you keep the records of more than 50% build?
How does one go about getting training for an aircraft like this?
hummel bird (or the 103 compliant version) vs this? My knowledge is the only two full metal part 103 on the market sub $40k. The twin engine crickit I suppose but too small for me.
The CriCri also doesn't comply with the stall speed or cruise speed criteria.
Nice little aeroplane though.
The engine was designed for power parachutes in the pusher configuration ? Has anything been done to the gearbox to handle the pulling forces in the tractor configuration?
It has been used in tractor configuration on several ultralights for a few years now. No problems.
💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
I dont like the parachute location. Otherwise I Love it!!!
So with Part 103, I know there is a rule about 55kts being the top speed. Does that just mean you are supposed to keep it under 55 or is the plane not supposed to be capable of going faster?
"(3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and
(4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed."
GREAT! What’s the engine horsepower ?
That Polini produces 37 horsepower.
This or badlands?
Experimental kit?
Look at Dan getting fancy with, cough, a flying logo.
Sure I'm not an American but I don't get this version of the Merlin (Yes I understand you don't need a licence...but what's wrong with a licence if medicals are not an issue?)
For some.... the medical IS the issue.
Medicals are not necessary for light sport or private pilot glider rating, but some just prefer to go this route.
@@T.RockTxThe standard Merlin can be flown with a Sport Pilot license and therefore no medical.
The US has a lot of empty space (Mid-west among other places) having a simple aircraft that doesn't require any Licensing of any kind is nice for those areas.
Essentially a flying dirt bike.
Apart from pilot licencing: no registration or insurance required, no required annual inspection.
Nice Plane but has a Poor Engine choice. You have to spend $4,500 more for a BRS to maybe make Part 103! It shouldn't come down to ozs. The trade-off is Doors vs Cowell! The Polini Install is 55 lbs, which puts it over Part 103 by 3-4 lbs without the Doors. With a Hirth F33 313cc Electric Start, 45 lbs it makes USA Part 103 Weight, No Expensive BRS is needed. With a Compact Radial MZ34 313cc, it also makes USA Part 103. With a Simonini Mini 3, it makes USA Part 103. USA Part 103 254 lbs with a BRS Exemption 24 lbs = 278 lbs. With their Numbers with Doors & Cowelling, it's over 278 Lbs. The MZ34 was designed by Zanzottera in Itlay who offered it in both 26hp@6250rpm and 38hp@6450rpm with a Tuned Pipe. Zanzottera Sold it to Compact Radial who years later sold it to Fiate Aviation in China. Both the Hirth F33 1000hr TBO and the MZ34 are 313cc with ????hr TBO vs the Polini 400hr TBO. The Simonini Mini 3 even has a 600hr TBO. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanzottera_MZ_34
STILL CAN NOT AFFORD 35K !
hey Dan part 103 isn't 254lbs
Hey, no:
(1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;
If only the airplane could carry a 250 lb pilot
The longer video to follow shows a fellow at 240 pounds fitting fine.
Time to sell Avid flyer