| The Hornet has a wing area of 137 sq. ft., a wing span of 27.5 inches, is 20 feet long and 6 feet high. Empty weight depending on engine and options will come in between 450 and 535 lbs. The Hornet can be flown in a wide open configuration or can be  equipped with doors which open on both sides for ease of exit and entry. The Hornet comes equipped with a neat little "Stinger." When a pilot gets ready to exit the plane he pulls down a support in the rear of the fuselage which supports the rear of the plane while he exits. This prevents the tail from crashing down when the the weight of the pilot is removed from the front of the plane. The Hornet has electric flaps and trim. The pilot flying from the front seat has access to a well equipped instrument panel, while the instructor in the back does have access to a smaller panel if required. The Hornet comes equipped with seat and shoulder harness for pilot restraint. The cockpit area is very roomy and comfortable with all of the control systems within easy reach. Checking the ignition on using the original brakes system is a little awkward as you have to pull full back on the stick to apply the brakes, while holding the throttle at 3,000 rpm, and turning your switches on and off. This was also took a little getting use to on take off as if you pulled back to far, or fast you applied the brakes, bring the nose wheel back down onto the ground. A more conventional brake lever with a parking brake lock on it is now also available. Steering on the ground is excellent and the air bag suspension on all three wheels has to be one of the best in the industry. Even intentionally stalling the plane in from 8 or 9 feet the works so well that the pilot may not even realize that he has stalled it in! Lift off with flaps comes in with two on board on a grass strip at about 400 feet, and happens at about 45 mph. A climb speed of 65 mph will give a 450 to 500 feet per minute climb with the Rotax 503. Cruise comes in at around 75 mph. Solo take off distance is shaved by about 250 feet and climb comes in at around 800 feet per minute.Visibility is excellent from the front seat as the pilot is sitting out in front of the wing.  Control pressures are light, rudder and elevator response is very effective. Turns required a bit of co-ordination with rudder and aileron. Increase and decrease in throttle response will require pilot input to stabilize the plane.
The electric trim moves the horizontal stab up and down really is used to set the plane up once the desired speed is reached. While the flaps do work, they didn't seem to be as effective for their size as other planes I have flown. With the engine at an idle I could not get the plane to stall, it would just mush, and it had no tendency to drop a wing. Overall this is a well thought out design, with excellent engineering, that is built like a tank, but flies like an angel. For more information contact: Higher Class Aviation
2471 Monecito Rd.
Ramona CA. 92065
760-789-8607 | 
