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Cloudster Plans are $99 with FREE SHIPPING. Plans are professionally drawn and include all the information needed to build a complete, safe, and flyable aircraft. The plans consist of 30 detailed drawings on 11″ x 17″ paper printed and spiral bound.The drawings are accompanied by a detailed construction manual on printed the standard 8.5″ x 11″ size and spiral bound. Plans are always being updated to reflect error corrections and more instructions or drawings to add clarification to the already tested design. All Cloudster plans sold by Simplex Aeroplanes include technical assistance and free updates as they become available. Previous customers of Pop’s Props who purchased plans from Scott Land can also request free updates and any new revisions by simply providing contact information and their plans number.
See our “construction” page for more details on the building and assembly of the Cloudster.
Construction techniques are of the old-fashioned, tried and true wood truss and plywood gusset method. It is very simple, and builds quickly. Actual construction time will vary from builder to builder, depending on if you are building from a kit or from plans, the tools you have available, and your personal skills. However, expect 350-500 hrs depending on your individual situation.
If you have ever built a balsa-wood model airplane, you have the experience required to build this “full-scale” airplane.
The Cloudster is a very simple design that is among the easiest of wood ultralights to build AND fly. The Cloudster is designed to fly behind a 28-35 hp engine. Depending on your engine selection, you’ll find that the airplane gets off the ground in about 75 feet, lifting off at about 30 mph. With a 35 hp Kawasaki 340 engine it’s not uncommon to see a climb out speed of 40 mph at 900 feet per minute, with cruise coming in at around 55-60 mph at 5300 rpms.
Visibility is outstanding and landings are a snap with the aluminum, one piece gear. The airplane has no nasty habits and a 26 mph power on stall give the pilot a safe, secure feeling. In the sky the airplane exhibits very little adverse yaw. The pilot will find very responsive controls, with a nice balanced feel, and not any mushy sensations.
The “Cloudster” was designed to fly on low power and for those who enjoy low and slow morning flying at minimum cost. The profile fuselage and narrow cowling provide a clean aerodynamic appeal. With ample wing area and parallel struts, the “Cloudster” is the ideal first-time builder’s ultralight.
The major components of the plane are all wood with metal struts. The plane is available as plans only, full kit or as sub component kits. The airplanes construction is very similar to that of a wood model aircraft, and can be built by anyone using standard hand tools, in an area as small as a 1 car garage and take 350-500 hrs to complete depending on skills, tooling, and work habit.
The design uses conventional gear with 3 axis controls. The pilots legs going up the side of the fuselage to the rudder pedals, making it a a true open cockpit flying machine. The feel is much the same as riding a motorcycle in the air!
For 17 years the Cloudster Ultralight Aircraft designed by Scott Land, (formerly sold by Pops Props) has proven that building and flying can be simple, safe, and affordable. Production and selling of the Cloudster plans and kits has traded hands to Simplex Aeroplanes in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Don’t delay any longer, now is a great time to start building a plane you can actually afford to build and one you will enjoy flying!
Kits are also now available – see our kit page for details.
You can also see a youtube video that features the original cloudster in 1998. http://youtu.be/tCgvRo5eXnk
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