Glasair Aviation
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Glasair Aviation, LLC is an aircraft manufacturer based in Arlington, Washington which produces the popular Glasair and GlaStar line of homebuilt airplanes.
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[edit] History
Tom Hamilton began flight testing the Glasair TD and founded Stoddard-Hamilton Aircraft in 1979.[1] Glasair Aviation was formed in 2001 when Thomas W. Wathen, purchased the assets of the Glasair from bankrupt Stoddard-Hamilton Aircraft Inc. and signed an agreement with Arlington Aircraft Development Inc. (AADI), to buy all rights and assets to the GlaStar model. The new companies New Glasair, LLC and New GlaStar, LLC are marketed under the Glasair Aviation name.[2]
[edit] Aircraft
[edit] Glasair I
The Glasair (called Glasair I after introduction of the Glasair II) line are two-place (side by side), low-wing general aviation aircraft. First introduced in 1979, the Glasair was the first premolded composite kit aircraft ever offered. The Glasair was available in retractable gear (Glasair RG), tricycle gear (Glasair FT) and tail dragger (Glasair TD) configuration. The Glasair I line is no longer in production and was superseded by the Glasair II line.
[edit] Glasair II
The Glasair II line of aircraft was a modification of the original Glasair I which improved on cockpit ergonomics and easier construction. The lineup included the Glasair II, the Glasair II-S and the Glasair SII. Only the Glasair SII (Super-II) model is still in production.
[edit] Glasair III
The Glasair III is similar to the Glasair SII but is designed for higher performance. The Glasair III is capable of a 313 mph cruise speed; and is only available in retractable gear configuration.
[edit] GlaStar
The GlaStar is a two-place high-wing general aviation airplane designed for versatility. The landing gear may be easily converted between tail dragger, tricycle gear, floats or skis. The wings may be folded for storage and trailering.
[edit] Sportsman
The Sportsman 2+2 is a modification to the GlaStar which adds a second-row "jump seat" to accommodate two passengers up to 5' tall in addition to the pilot and front seat passenger.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ History of Glasair. Retrieved on 2007-01-14.
- ^ EAA news - New Glastar purchase of AADI. Retrieved on 2007-01-14.