Comments
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Cheers Chip. Excellent Vids and Info.
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i love that thing with the electric motor. i live in Thailand and i think it's really hard to get licensed here.
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thank you chip. I really like your content and enthusiasm. ever met homer kolb, what did you think of him.
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20k is a lil high price for a few pieces of aluminum tubing, few yards of dacron and lil ole electric or scooter engine...... What's the profit margin? Someone needs to design a powered aircraft that can carry one man comfortably for $1,000.00 US and they would make Trillions worldwide.
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Looks like a lot of fun. At about 8:00 minutes into the video he almost pulls the chute handle and catches himself before pulling on the "Armstrong" starter. The engine didn't start. I expected it to start on the 1st pull. That sells the electric motor for me! Good thing it stays aloft fairly easy!
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Been following Mike's design and glad to see it in the market so maybe I can pick up one when my car's paid off..!!
Way to go Chip.!
http://www.sportaviationmagazine.com – Dan Johnson talks to Chip Erwin about the Zigolo MG12 ultralight motorglider. The Zigolo is available in both a gas and electric version. It is also available in kit form or ready to fly. Chip hopes to have an electric powered Zigolo ready to fly with battery included in the $20,000 range. Zigolo Cracks the China Market as Part 103! Chip Erwin flies Zigolo at Sun 'n Fun 2014 using electric power. By Dan Johnson I didn't see this one coming. Maybe you didn't either? In the new millennia gold rush represented by companies either being bought by Chinese businesses or gaining investment from wealthy Chinese business people or by setting up shop to sell in China (or even Cessna's ill-fated effort to have their Skycatcher manufactured in China), one element I've never heard of is Part 103 in China. This least-regulated-of-all aviation category is solely an American thing, isn't it? Well ... yes and no. Germany has opened the door to a Part 103-like development in that country under the 120-kilogram class (using a number that is 264 pounds or very similar to Part 103's 254-pound empty weight limit). England has their SSDR class (SSDR being the abbreviation for Single Seat De-Regulated). Despite following those developments, I've never heard a word about China and any less-regulated sector. "The first Zigolo in China was introduced to the public in that nation on July 17th at the Jingmen Airshow," reported representative Chip W. Erwin. The example was supplied in kit form by Aeromarine-LSA of Lakeland, Florida and Chip assembled it in just three weeks. Erwin, many will recall, was the main man behind the SportCruiser that ranks high in the U.S. market. After getting pushed out of the company he founded by an aggressive investor, he established a new enterprise in China. So, the following announcement might be expected, "Concurrently [to the aircraft's debut], a Zigolo assembly facility was established in the AVIC R&D center in Jingmen to supply the Chinese market with Ready-to-Fly (RTF) Zigolos." Now, here's the part of their announcement that caught me by surprise. "The Chinese CAAC recognizes the FAA Part 103 rule," Chip related, "which means that Chinese customers can actually fly legally and fly now in China, something that has not been so easy in LSA or other GA aircraft to date." No kidding! Virtually everyone agrees the China market for aircraft is potentially enormous, but the key word is "potentially." It is developing but seems in well in the future. Maybe not. If Chinese authorities permit Part 103 aircraft now, Zigolo could have a near-term impact on that market. Given its extremely low price, many Chinese flying enthusiasts could climb aboard. "The Chinese have been shipping thousands of RTF radio-controlled (RC) model aircraft to the USA," notes Erwin. "Now they will have the capability to build a man-carrying light aircraft for their own market. Chip noted that the technology and design gap between large RC aircraft and this ultralight motorglider is small; with the coming electric-powered version of the Zigolo, the gap narrows further. Want to know more? Zigolo is presently available to Americans in kit form with typical build time estimated at about 150 hours. Delivery positions are now available for the RTF version and first deliveries are planned for later in 2014. I love the tagline Chip invented as it sums up the well-priced, simple aircraft — Zigolo: everything you need, and not much else. http://youtu.be/KMIDfce5az8 http://www.sportaviationmagazine.com Video and Audio content is Copyright © Sport Aviation Magazine. This video and audio material may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. Help support Sport Aviation Magazine by subscribing to our PAID subscription video magazine at http://www.ultralightflyer.com Thank You for your continued support! RELATED SEARCH TERMS: ultralight,ultralight video,ultralights,ultralight aircraft,ultralight aviation,legal ultralights,part 103 ultralights,ultralight kits,ultralight planes,ultralights for sale,used ultralight aircraft,ultralight plane,ultralight trike,ultralight glider,ultralight kit,ultralight airplane,Flying (Magazine), TAGS: Zigolo, zigolo mg12, zigolo ultralight, zigolo, Zigolo MG 12 ultralight,Zigolo MG 12 ultralight video,Zigolo MG 12 ultralight aircraft,ultralight aviation,Zigolo MG 12 legal ultralights,Zigolo MG 12 part 103 ultralights,Zigolo MG 12 ultralight kits,Zigolo MG 12 ultralight planes,Zigolo MG 12 ultralights for sale,used Zigolo MG 12 ultralight aircraft,Zigolo MG 12 ultralight plane,Zigolo MG 12 ultralight kit,Zigolo MG 12 ultralight airplane, http://www.emergencyplumbingservices.ca - Zigolo MG12 electric ultralight motorglider available from 25 to 75 HP!