Biplanes of Yesteryear Mifyter

The Biplanes Of Yesteryear Mifyter (English: My Fighter) is an American amateur-built aircraft, designed by Rod Cowgill and produced by Biplanes Of Yesteryear, of Ontario, Oregon. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2][3][4]

Mifyter
Role Amateur-built aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Biplanes Of Yesteryear
Designer Rod Cowgill
Status In production (2012)
Number built One

The design is "a fantasy one-of-a-kind design, not a scale" replica, but is intended to be similar to a First World War fighter.[5]

Design and development

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The aircraft features a strut-braced biplane layout, a single-seat open cockpit, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][4]

The aircraft is covered in doped aircraft fabric. Its 20.5 ft (6.2 m) span wing has a total area of 146 sq ft (13.6 m2) on both wings. The prototype was powered by a 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 532 with the newer 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-stroke powerplant a builder option. Uniquely, for ground transportation and storage, instead of folding wings the aircraft features a removable tail section.[1][4]

Operational history

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The design has won many awards, including Arlington Champion 1997, Oshkosh Honorable Mention 1997, Arlington Grand Champion 1999, and Oshkosh Reserve Grand Champion 2002.[6]

As of December 2007 one example had been reported as having been completed and in April 2015 only one was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration.[2][7]

A two-seat Myfyter II was planned and one example reported built, powered by a Geo Metro four stroke engine, although the company does not currently market it.[1][2][4]

Specifications (Mifyter)

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Data from Bayerl, Biplanes Of Yesteryear and Kitplanes[1][2][5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Upper wingspan: 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
  • Lower wingspan: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
  • Wing area: 146 sq ft (13.6 m2) total
  • Empty weight: 430 lb (195 kg)
  • Gross weight: 755 lb (342 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 15 U.S. gallons (57 L; 12 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 532 twin cylinder, liquid-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 64 hp (48 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 90 mph (140 km/h, 78 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 75 mph (121 km/h, 65 kn)
  • Stall speed: 37 mph (60 km/h, 32 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 1,350 ft/min (6.9 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 5.17 lb/sq ft (25.2 kg/m2)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 97. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ a b c d Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 44. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. ^ Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 349. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  4. ^ a b c d Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 102. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  5. ^ a b Biplanes Of Yesteryear (n.d.). "Myfighter Kits Specifications". Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  6. ^ Biplanes Of Yesteryear. "Award Winning Myfighter Kits". Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  7. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (April 20, 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved April 20, 2015.
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