Don Stewart's Ultralight
A few folks from the early days of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) ultralight aircraft beginnings may remember the “Puffin” designed by Don Stewart from Salem Ohio. A few of my friends from EAA chapter 210 worked on building this prototype. I don’t think the design was ever totally completed or flown.
I happen to run across this slide today so I thought I would publish it. It was taken at the Oshkosh EAA fly-in. There is no date on the slide but this was back in the days when ultralights had to be foot launch-able or at least be able to demonstrate the capability. The rules changed fast in those days.
This was one of the first if not the very first design to have an enclosed cabin. Note the bomb bay doors on the bottom so the pilot could launch and I assume land on his own two legs. Of course the wheels were the intended flight process for most flights.
All the other ultalights in the photo are open design and a few did have wheels but no cabin. So which came first? The Puffin or its egg?