Hipp's Superbirds J-3 Kitten
Hipp's Superbirds · United States · first flew 1986 · light aircraft
The Hipp's Superbirds J-3 Kitten is a single-engine, single-seat, high-wing ultralight aircraft available in kit form or as plans from Hipp's Superbirds of Saluda, North Carolina.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Welded 4130 steel tube fuselage and wooden wings |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat high-wing ultralight with conventional landing gear
- Enclosed cockpit with a cut-down rear turtle deck
- Welded 4130 steel tube fuselage and wooden wings
A small high-wing ultralight with a 30 ft wing and a composite engine cowling.
Specifications
- The Hipp's Superbirds J-3 Kitten has a length of 4.95 m (16 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.14 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 101 km/h (63 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The J-3, J-5 and Reliant were developed from the original J-4, and differ mainly in fuselage design and wingspan. The J-3 Kitten first flew in 1986. The wings are wooden and fabric covered, and detach for transport.
Variants
The family includes the J-4 Sportster, an open-cockpit parasol-wing version, and the J-5 Super Kitten with a larger Rotax 447 engine. The Reliant was first displayed at Oshkosh in 1987.
Where you'll see it
The J-3 has a standard empty weight of 250 lb and a 28 hp Rotax 277, and is intended to fit the US ultralight class.
Related aircraft
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