The most compact aircraft in the world

A surge of interest in miniatures aircrafts occurred after the end of World War II. The military liked small aircraft: such equipment is very convenient to use for reconnaissance purposes. And civilians also had a demand for such "vehicles". Therefore, in the post-war period, not only single designs were developed, but also full-fledged aircraft launched into series. It is worth telling separately about the most famous aircraft in the world and the Russian Federation, some of which are still in use today.

BD-5J

This "microjet" was designed and built in 1971 by American engineer Jim Bede. The aircraft took pride of place in the Guinness Book of Records as the lightest jet-powered aircraft. The car was very popular: after the end of the tests, 5 thousand copies were produced and sold in the first 2,5 years, and another 12 thousand were booked. At first, the aircraft was priced at $1800, but as demand increased, the cost rose to $2600.



No company in the world that builds airliners has sold so many of its products. The main characteristics of the mini design:

• ? wingspan - 5 m
  
• ? fuselage - 3,6 m
  
• ? weight - 162 kg
  
• ? maximum speed - 480 km / h
  
• ? distance - up to 1500 km
  

The parameters are quite impressive. But there is also an interesting “bonus”: in order to keep the price at the maximum affordable level, the aircraft was offered in the form of a constructor. To assemble it, you need to spend seven hundred hours (instructions are attached). It is also convenient to store the device: if you dismantle the wings, it will freely enter the car garage.



From the outside, the aircraft looks like a cross between a sports apparatus and a fighter jet. The fuselage is streamlined, the engine is located at the rear. Despite the obvious success, the manufacturing company managed to go bankrupt in 1979 and the serial production of the BD-5J ceased. However, the plane continued to live! Issued copies were endlessly modified, many BD-5J service centers were opened in the USA.

Bumble Bee II

This is also a record holder: at least in terms of size. This "baby" with wings of 1,6 m was designed by US engineer Robert Starr in 1988. "Miniplane" had a mass of 183 kg. Experts argued that "this thing" would never take off. But they miscalculated: the flight nevertheless took place, although it is difficult to call it successful. The car stayed in the air for as long as it took to fix the flight and then fell down from a height of 120 m. The pilot escaped with bruises, and the baby was collected piece by piece and donated to the museum.

sky baby

This model was designed and assembled by Ray Stits; he made his first flight in 1952. The device has one engine, at the heart of the fuselage are welded steel pipes sheathed with fabric. The length of the device is 2,1 m, weight - 200 kg. But despite the more than modest dimensions, this is a real biplane! He has ailerons, flaps, landing gear on three pillars. The main requirement is that the pilot should not weigh more than 77 kg so that the center of gravity is in the right state. The model turned out to be successful: it starred in commercials, was seen in numerous air shows. After a twenty-five-hour raid, the car was sent to the museum.

baby bird

This device was assembled by the same person - Ray Stites, who was assisted by his son. The assembly of the car started in 1980 right in the garage. At the base of the design is a monoplane with a wingspan of 1,9 m. The “Kid” picked up speed at 170 km / h and was in operation for 5 years, 35 sorties and not a single serious accident. The plane turned into a museum exhibit in 1989.



All of the above are devices from, albeit recent, the past. However, this does not mean that today the idea of ​​small aircraft is forgotten. They are still being built.

Fly Nano

The creation of Finnish designers (headed by Aki Suokas), first demonstrated to the public in 2011. Moreover, this is not a “classic” aircraft, but a hydroplane that can land on water. This is not surprising, since Finland is a country of lakes, and the car was developed with quite practical purposes.



Despite the year of manufacture, the device looks modern not only externally: it is powered by an electric motor (although there is a version with a gasoline unit). The fuselage is made of carbon fiber: that is, in general, the device can be considered environmentally friendly. Technical details:

• ? weight - 70 kg with a payload of 200 (!) kg
  
• ? maximum speed - 200 km / h
  
• ? flight range - 40 km (option with a gasoline engine will fly 70 km)
  

Colomban Cri-Cri

The device began to be developed in 1971, but over the decades it has undergone a number of major upgrades: the last one was made in 2011. The French designer, assembling the device, made the main emphasis on dimensions and economy. And he succeeded in some way. Parameters Colomban Cri-Cri:

• ? wings - 2,9 m
  
• ? fuselage - 3,9 m
  
• ? weight - 78 kg
  
• ? optimal (in terms of fuel consumption) speed - 185 km / h
  
• ? time spent in flight - 2,5 hours
  

The characteristics are very good, thanks to which the aircraft was bought up well, and is still in demand today. In the USA, 20 units are on the move, France - 110. Another 30 vehicles are operated in other EU countries. During the "restyling" in 2011, the device received additional engines: there were four of them. Such an achievement could not fail to notice, and it quite rightly ended up in the Guinness Book of Records. Colomban Cri-Cri is the smallest aircraft equipped with four power units.

Russian achievements

In the Russian Federation, too, there were records. Assembled by an engineer from Armavir, the X-12H aircraft has a six-meter wingspan, weighs 80 kg and is 3,5 m long. The maximum speed is 125 km/h. It seems that the data is not particularly impressive compared to the above devices. But this design got into the Guinness Book of Records for something completely different: when folded (disassembly / assembly is done very quickly), the plane fits in a large suitcase.

And one more Russian device from Taganrog, which can no longer be called miniature, when compared with previous models, but on the other hand they fly on it without “licenses”, and you can buy it even today. This is a Junior monoplane. The first flight took place in 2015. The empty design has a low weight - 105 kg, which fits into the lightest category "up to 115 kg" (according to the laws of the Russian Federation, the device can be operated without a pilot's license). Specifications:

• ? wingspan - 8,7 m
  
• ? takeoff weight - up to 220 kg
  
• ? maximum speed - 140 km / h
  
• ? fuel consumption - 6 l / h (tank volume 10 l)
  

The fuselage is made of plastic, the landing gear is tricycle. The model is equipped with the Spanish Airmax 220 engine, which develops 29 hp. With. The minimum set of instruments includes a "speedometer", an altimeter (relative to the place of take-off and sea level), as well as an indicator of the rate of ascent.



An optional controller is supplied, with the help of which the device will show:

• ? fuel volume
  
• ? number of hours
  
• ? internal combustion engine temperature, overboard and in the cabin
  

Also, the aircraft is equipped with a "black box". "Junior" is offered for 600 thousand rubles. But there are options - for example, to buy it without a motor and avionics for 350 thousand rubles. In this case, the device is delivered unassembled. For an additional fee, the model will be brought to the specified place and they will help you assemble it.