| There are many models of automobile that you can identify on site, no matter what the year. Corvette, Volkswagen Beetle, Austin Mini are just a few. These models have developed a name for themselves for style, dependability, fuel economy etc. We in the ultralight and light sport community also have a number of aircraft that have developed a following and thus have carved their own little niche markets. At the forefront of these is a little single seat craft the the T Bird. | T Bird 1 specifications | | Empty Weight: | 295 lbs. | | Gross Weight: | 577 lbs. | | Wing Span: | 31 ft. | | Wing Area: | 154. sq. ft. | | Engine: | 447 Rotax | | Cruise Speed: | 60 m.p.h. | | Stall Speed: | 25 m.p.h. | | VNE: | 90 m.p.h. | | Construction: | aluminum tube,
dacron | | Building time: | 100 Hrs. | I had a chance to talk to Bret Kivell of Indy Aircraft who manufacturers the T Bird line of light sport and experimental aircraft at Airventure 2007.
According to Bret T Bird is celebrating it's 25th year of production. The T Bird like the Volkswagen Beetle, is very unique in design and stands out in a crowd. But unlike the Beetle the T Bird didn't have to reinvent itself! Very little has changed on the T Bird over the past quarter century. Yes like anything else the design has undergone various improvements, but to look at a plane 25 years ago, and look at it today a pilot would not be able to physically tell them apart. This shows that the design has stood the test of time! It also shows that if you build a light sport or experimental aircraft that can be: - built by someone in less than a month working at a leisurely pace.
- using only basic hand tools that you would find in the average homeowners garage.
- that requires no more knowledge than that of building a big erector set
- with a price that is within the reach of most pilots! Then you have a recipe for success. The T Bird uses bolt together, aluminum tube construction, covered in dacron sail cloth. Controls are standard stick and rudder using a Yoke with a left hand throttle. Power for the single place T Bird starts with the 40 HP Rotax 447, but most pilots will opt for the 50 HP Rotax 503, while those really looking for a rocket ship will equip their planes with the Rotax 65 HP 582! No matter what you power the T Bird single place with it has shown for over 25 years that it can do just about anything you ask of it. Whether flying on wheels, floats, or skis! The T Bird is also a "convertible" that is it is available as either a tail dragger or a tri-cycle gear. Or can be converted between either in as little as an hour! Indy Aircraft is currently offering the T Bird single place as an Experimental Aircraft under the 51% rule. The company is just completing new manuals etc for the plane and expects to have it available as a Lightsport Aircraft in the very near future. All this has made the T Bird, with it's very distinctive design very successful! How successful? Bret estimates that there "are over 2,000 T Birds flying worldwide." | 
