Paul Mather of M-Squared Inc. had on display at Sun N Fun his latest entry into the ultralight market, a part 103 legal ultralight which weighs in at 250 lbs! According to Paul he put his single place M Squared on a "high cholesterol diet, with the main emphasis being the power plant." Paul is powering his new design with Revolution Rotary Engines the R301A which weighs in at 70 lbs. He has also clipped the wings to 27 ft. 6 inches, and reduced some of the weight in the main frame. The plane which does not have a name yet, is full three axis control, via stick and rudder pedals and features 70 inch ailerons. The plane is all aluminum tube construction other than the seat support tube which is chromoly. The plane uses a standard 5 gallon root tube mounted fuel tank. Instruments coming on the plane will be an airspeed indicator, tachometer, temperature gauge and two blade wood prop. The plane also features brakes and a steerable nosewheel. The plane will be coming from M Squared factory built, with a maintenance manual, and weight and balance sheet. Paul indicates that on dyno runs the engine has been putting out 35 horsepower at 6500 rpm, using a 2.58 to 1 reduction drive. With these figures Paul expects the plane to climb out between 400 and 500 feet per minute, cruise in the 45 mph range, with stall coming in around 20 mph. Paul has a Wankel engine on one of his planes now for about 4 years. A year ago he was approached by the Revolution Factory about using their engine on his plane, and at Sebring this year Paul told them what he needed. Three weeks before Sun N Fun he began building a plane around the new engine, showing up with a plane that was capable of flying but not allowed to because it did not have enough hours on it. Paul gives full credit for being able to make the 254 lbs. weight limit to the people at Revolution Rotary Engines, "without this engine we would not be able to make the weight limit." The plane does not have a name yet. Paul indicates that he is going to have a pool for the first 10 customers. They will supply the name and he will hold a draw to name it. For more information. |