Gamebird GB1
Texas Aircraft Manufacturing · United States · first flew 2018 · light aircraft
The Gamebird GB1 is an American single-seat unlimited aerobatic monoplane developed by Texas Aircraft Manufacturing to provide top-level aerobatic pilots with a domestically-produced alternative to European unlimited designs. It entered competition use from 2018.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat unlimited aerobatic monoplane with low tapered composite wing
- Distinctive swept fin with a rounded top and large bubble canopy
- Taildragger undercarriage with aerodynamic wheel fairings
Identified by the distinctive swept fin with a rounded top, broad-chord low composite wing, large bubble canopy, and the Lycoming AEIO-580 engine giving a larger spinner diameter than smaller-engined types.
Specifications
- The Gamebird GB1 has a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.32 m (24 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 370 km/h (230 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Texas Aircraft Manufacturing and first flown in 2018, the Gamebird GB1 was created to give American pilots a US-built unlimited aerobatic platform. Its carbon-composite construction and AEIO-580 Lycoming engine give performance competitive with European unlimited types.
Variants
The GB1 is the sole current unlimited variant; a two-seat training version has been discussed but not yet certified as of early 2020s.
Where you'll see it
Flown by American unlimited competitors and displayed at US airshows; several examples have appeared at IAC national championships. Export numbers remain limited.
Related aircraft
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