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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
neighbors 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 aluminum 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
http://www.usastores.com/betterhalf
leonard@fbtc.net
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