Midwest Questar Open Aire

The Midwest Questar Open Aire is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by Midwest Engineering of Overland Park, Kansas. When it was available the aircraft was supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction, but the plans were withdrawn on 29 June 2000.[1][2]

Questar Open Aire
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Midwest Engineering
Retired Plans no longer available as of 29 June 2000
Number built 10 (1998)
Unit cost
US$30.00 (plans only, 1998)

Design and development

The Questar Open Aire 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 220 lb (100 kg).[1]

The aircraft features a strut-braced high-wing, a single-seat open cockpit without a windshield, fixed conventional landing gear without wheel pants and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The Questar Open Aire is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing and wood, with its flying surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. Its 28.66 ft (8.7 m) span wing has a wing area of 124.0 sq ft (11.52 m2) and is supported by "V" struts. The acceptable power range is 30 to 40 hp (22 to 30 kW) and the standard engines used are small 30 hp (22 kW) two-stroke powerplants.[1]

The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 220 lb (100 kg) and a gross weight of 450 lb (200 kg), giving a useful load of 230 lb (100 kg). With full fuel of 3 U.S. gallons (11 L; 2.5 imp gal) the payload for the pilot and baggage is 212 lb (96 kg).[1]

The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off and landing roll with a 30 hp (22 kW) engine is 100 ft (30 m).[1]

Operational history

By 1998 the company reported that 50 sets of plans had been sold and that ten aircraft were completed and flying.[1]

Specifications (Questar Open Aire)

Data from AeroCrafter[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 16.66 ft (5.08 m)
  • Wingspan: 28.66 ft (8.74 m)
  • Wing area: 124.0 sq ft (11.52 m2)
  • Empty weight: 220 lb (100 kg)
  • Gross weight: 450 lb (204 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 3 U.S. gallons (11 L; 2.5 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × two-stroke aircraft engine, 30 hp (22 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 60 mph (97 km/h, 52 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 52 mph (84 km/h, 45 kn)
  • Stall speed: 25 mph (40 km/h, 22 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.0 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 3.6 lb/sq ft (18 kg/m2)
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References
  1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 208. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  2. Midwest Engineering (29 June 2000). "Questar Ultralight Aircraft Plans". Retrieved 19 January 2014.
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