Ready-to-Fly: Includes Engine, EFIS, EMS, & Electric Trim.
FINISHED PRICE: $34,000
The ‘Merlin Lite” is an all-new version of the Merlin and has a longer wing and a lighter airframe to meet the FAA Part 103 ultralight rule.
Truly, I am really impressed
Finally, I’ve had some time to fly the production version of the Merlin Lite, and, I can report what it’s really like to fly.
I’m just quite surprised that this aircraft exceeds my expectations. No embellishment either. Here’s what we have, and I believe it’s truly exceptional. I cannot think of another aircraft that offers such versatility, performance, and real value.
Some background: Most ultralights are open-air and tube & fabric construction powered by a 2-stroke engine. Ultralight pilots choose to fly ultralights because:
- They want to.
- They lost their medical and have no other flying option.
- Flying budget constraints.
- All the above.
Ultralights are great for fair-weather local flying but not so great for cross-country flying due to their airspace restrictions and cruise speeds. But just to get up in the air for a dawn patrol or evening sortie is plenty for a lot of pilots. But what if we could change this? Or, more accurately, what did we do to change this?
PART 103 is the USA FAA rule that allows ‘ultralight’ aircraft to fly without any certification, registration, pilots’ license or medical. It has a strict empty weight limit of 254 lbs and speed range of 24 to 55 knots. This UL rule has been adapted by many other countries that mirror the FAA regulations including China. Thousands of ultralights are already flying in USA and in China.
For the Part 103 compliance we only install one wing tank with 4.15 gallons capacity which is good for about 4 hours flying with the Polini engine. For those looking for extended range you can add a second wing tank to the opposite wing as both wings are designed to accept a wing tank. BTW, the Merlin Lite will accept both long and short wings so you can select your preference or even change wings perhaps during soaring season or for a faster cross country.
The Merlin Lite fits Part 103 perfectly.
The Merlin Lite can be flown as a Part 103 ultralight with virtually no regulations but will require a BRS rescue system to increase the allowable weight. The Merlin Lite may also be registered in the Experimental class which does not have the weight and speed restrictions of Part 103.
Our demo Merlin Lite has on the panel:
- 12 volt charging power supply
- Electric trim and indicator
- Full EFIS with
- Artificial horizon
- Airspeed
- Altimeter with pressure window
- VSI
- G Meter
- Compass
- Heading indicator
- Ball
- GPS
- iPad mini with Foreflight navigation software and weather radar overlap
- Fuel on-off valve
- Engine control subpanel with on-off, 2 mag checks, and starter button
- Fuel gauge with optional extended range fuel tank gauge
- Engine monitoring system with 2 timers, RPM, CHT and coolant temperature.
Panel with EFIS.
Plenty of room for your tablet of phone with your favorite navigation app.
Pictured below: Merlin Lite long wing with 3-hinge Fowler flap designed to meet the Part 103 24 knot stall speed.
The new longer wing brings the Merlin Lite stall speed below 24 knots which is the limit for the FAA Part 103 rule. Have a look at the 3-hinge Fowler flap. This flap is slotted and deflects to 50 degrees which really slows down the aircraft yet when fully retracted is very clean. Combined with the cantilevered wing our Merlin lite with this high aspect ratio wing will have a L/D ratio suitable for motor-gliding or efficient flight under electric power. Wing span increases to 32 feet.
The details:
- Roomy cockpit fits 6’6” pilot
- Racing padded 3-point seatbelt
- BRS 500 full aircraft rescue system
- Twin hydraulic brakes with tundra tires
- Arm rest and quality custom throttle
- Temperfoam seats
- Twin window vents
- Bubble windows
- Huge baggage area: capacity for full-size airline roll-on or camping gear
- Flap position lever with 5 positions
Price List
| Merlin Lite Price List | Quantity | USD | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| MERLIN LITE FINISHED AND READY TO FLY - TRICYCLE GEAR. INCLUDES POLINI 303DS, CARBON PROPELLER, TUNDRA TIRES, AIR SPEED INDICATOR, ELECTRIC TRIM, HYDRAULIC BRAKES, 12V POWER SUPPLY, ENGINE INSTRUMENTS, FUEL GAUGE, AIR VENTS, ELECTRIC START, EARTHX BATTERY, 4.15 GALLON WING TANK | 1 | $34,000 | $34,000 |
| OPTIONS | |||
| BRS 500 RESCUE SYSTEM | 1 | $5,000 | |
| 3-1/8 EFIS with GPS | 1 | $995 | |
| 2ND WING TANK | $600 | ||
| CABIN HEAT | $450 | ||
| STROBE/NAV/POSITION LIGHT LED WHELAN BLAZE SET | $575 | ||
| TEMPERFOAM SEATS | $400 | ||
| ONE COLOR PAINTING | 1 | $3000 | |
| MOTOR-GLIDER WING OPTION (MEETS FAA DEFINITION) | $5,000 | ||
| AIRFRAME KIT PRICE | |||
| MERLIN LITE QUICK-BUILD E-A/B AIRFRAME KIT (100% FINISHED AIRFRAME) | $22,000 | ||
| POLINI 303DS ENGINE & FIREWALL FORWARD PACKAGE | $7,000 | ||
| PACKING IF SHIPPED | $500 | $0 | |
| TOTAL | $34,000 | ||
| DEPOSIT ON ORDER | $15,000 | ||
| DEPOSIT DUE ON AIRFRAME COMPLETION | $15,000 | ||
| BALANCE ON COMPLETION AND TEST FLIGHT | TOTAL | $19,000 | |
| SUGGESTED AND MOST COMMON ORDER: | |||
| MERLIN LITE FINISHED AND READY TO FLY - TRICYCLE GEAR | 1 | $34,000 | $34,000 |
| OPTIONS | |||
| BRS 500 RESCUE SYSTEM | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| 3-1/8 EFIS WITH GPS | 1 | $995 | $995 |
| STROBE/NAV/POSITION LIGHT LED WHELAN BLAZE SET | 1 | $575 | $575 |
| TEMPERFOAM SEATS | 1 | $400 | $400 |
| MOTOR-GLIDER WING OPTION (MEETS FAA DEFINITION) | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| ONE COLOR PAINTING | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| TOTAL | $48,970 | ||