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Just over from the Jenny I came across the
designer of the Legal Eagle, a single place legal U.S. ultralight.
The name Legal Eagle came about when the plane weighed in at 10 lbs less
than the 254 lbs weight limit for the U.S. - thus "this Eagle is
legal became the "LEGAL EAGLE."
According the Leonard Milholland the designer,
this is the first time the Legal Eagle has been outside of his home state
of Texas. Leonard has sold a number of plans for the plane and is
just now in the process of finalizing some production of fuselage kits and
materials packages.
Leonard injured himself several weeks prior to the
show and it was the effort of his friends and neighbours that made the
trip down to Sun N Fun possible. The plane features a welded fuselage with
an all wood wing, similar to that of a Mini Max, the tail section is aluminums
tube using pop rivets and gussets. Controls are standard stick and rudder,
with ailerons.
The plane is powered by a "better half"
VW engine. The plane cruises along at 53 mph, stalls at 19, and according
to Leonard is "real responsive and a pleasure to fly." All of
the control systems are located outside the fuselage and the wings are
completely sealed to prevent "those creepy crawly things"
from getting in.
"The whole idea of this plane is to be
economical - you can afford it if you want to do the work." The plans
consist of a cover sheet with the specifications on it, 42 sheets of
drawings, and a materials list. Plans sell for $50.
Leonard estimates building time to be about 6
months. The engine is unique in that it is not a "half VW" but
rather uses a full case. Plans are also available for the engine design
which Leonard indicates he has been doing for over 10 years.
For more information contact
L.E Milholland
Box 747
Brookshire Texas 77423
Telephone: 281-934-8450
The Legal Eagle Ultralight Specifications
Weight 244 pounds. (dry)
Wing Span 281 inches.
Wing Cord 55 inches.
Wing Area 107 Sq ft.
Fuselage 155 inches
Hight 66 inches
Fuel 5 Gallons
Gravity Feed System
Peery Propellor (fixed pitch wood)
Tuffy Bicycle Wheels and Shopping Cart tail wheel.
Speed Limited to legal ultralight speed but can do up to 60
MPH...
Stall Speed approximately 25MPH
Cost To Build Estimated at 3,000 to 5,000 depending on your
Scrounging ability. I have less than $500 hard cash in mine but I
had the engine and most of the tubing, etc.
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