Does anybody know why the Ultimate isn't on the web site? Is it discontinued?

Thanks,

Jim

I stand corrected............

Actuallt the Ultimate was a pretty good selling airplane, but I ran out and have not had an opportunity to get more. I wanted to make a few changes and that has held things up.

I hope to get some in the next container in Feb./March.

TF

That's good to hear. It's one of the best flying biplanes I've had my hands on in over 30 years of flying, and it's refreshing to know that I'll be able to get another one.

Will the Ultimate be switched over to the Chinese builder?? If so will it be more like the New Extra's build?? Any thoughts of making the wing struts to a no tools required setup??

The Ultimate was built in China by my current builder. In fact it was our first plane from China and the builder and I have learned a lot since then.

This is why I have not done more, I'm sure we can do a much better plane if I have some time to think it through.

TF

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad that you will be getting them back in. I guess I'll be getting one this spring.

Jim

I for one plan on getting one when they are released again.

I was wondering how well the ultimate performs the IMAC sequences?

About as well as you can fly them. Just don't set the Ultimate up with big control deflections and it does great.

YES!

Any thoughts about Wild Hare making a 35% or 40% Ultimate?

No.

any size? any size at all?

If there was interest, would you consider it?

Also, what are you changing on the current Ultimate?

You need to understand the economics. A builder will not build just a few planes, they want a container load or they will not consider it.

There just is not a large enough market for a biplane of that size. They are difficult to handle and transport and disassemble/assemble. If you leave them in one piece they use up a lot of floor space.

I think they are neat also but there's no justification to build a large run. BME aircraft had a nice one and quit selling it (I think) for the same reason.

TF

How about plans for scratch building, since there seems to be not enough people interested?

I understand the economics Tom, but I was just curious if you had ever thought about it or if you would consider it provided there was interest in one. Of course, warehouse space is also a factor and these are the same reasons why the 50cc Decathalon never went through.

So, what are the new changes to the 50cc Ultimate? Lighter?

BME still markets the 37% Ultimate. Unless you have a 150cc plus engine just laying around that's about as big as most would want to go. The 46% H-9 Ultimate will fly pretty good with a 150, but really sings out if something larger is used.

The prototype Ultimates were quite a bit lighter than the production models. I'll try to get them to go back to that setup. That wasour first plane with thie new builder and I think they decided to err on the heavy side.

I also want touse a ring mounted cowl if possible to eliminate the visible screws. Maybe a couple other minor mods and some planes in a different scheme.

TF

Cool, might have get one from you when they come out. I saw an Extra with the new cowl mounting method and I thought that was a great idea.

What's the target weight going to be with say a DA 50?

The prototypes weighed in right at 16 lbs, but when the production planes arrived they went to 17. I don't understand why, we will be discussing this.

TF

I am glad the Ultimate is coming back, I feared it was gone forever when it disappeared from the web site! I'm still flying glow planes, but I really wanted the Wild Hare Ultimate to be my first gasser. And when my wife saw the pink one, it was the only plane I've ever seen her "want" me to get!

My experience is only that.

I never had any complaints about the weight after people flew the plane unless they used some engine that was way too heavy.

The Ultimate was designed for a DA-50 or other lightweight 50cc engine, equipped as suggested they fly beautifully. You can't just look at numbers.

TF