Carlson Sparrow
Carlson Aircraft · United States · first flew 1987 · light aircraft
The Carlson Sparrow is an American single-seat ultralight aircraft available in kit form, designed for affordability and simplicity in the US light sport aviation market.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- American ultralight / light sport aircraft kit design
- High-wing strut-braced monoplane for homebuilders
- Simple tube-and-fabric construction
Typical ultralight high-wing monoplane with minimal fuselage structure, strut-braced wings, open or enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle or taildragger undercarriage, and a small piston or two-stroke engine.
Specifications
- The Carlson Sparrow has a length of 5.8 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.1 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 130 km/h (81 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Ed Carlson and produced by Carlson Aircraft Inc. in East Palestine, Ohio, the Sparrow entered the kit market in the mid-1980s as a simple, low-cost ultralight complying with FAR Part 103. Multiple variants have been produced for different engine and performance requirements.
Variants
Sparrow single-seat ultralight; Sparrow II two-seat variant; various engine options from Rotax to other small piston engines.
Where you'll see it
Used by private homebuilders and ultralight pilots in the United States; not a military or commercial aircraft.
Related aircraft
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