Leins Bal-Aire
Ballard Leins · United States · first flew 1960 · light aircraft
The Leins Bal-Aire was a US single-seat sports biplane designed and built by a professional pilot for his own use. It first flew on 8 July 1960.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.33 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Staggered biplane with constant-chord unswept wings
- Open cockpit just behind the upper trailing edge with a small cut-out
- Strongly tapered square-tipped fin with a tailplane braced by struts and wires
Look for a small single-seat staggered biplane with a deep flat-sided fuselage and fixed conventional gear with faired legs.
Specifications
- The Leins Bal-Aire has a length of 5.33 m (17 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.4 m (21 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 169 km/h (105 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was designed and built by Ballard Leins, a United Airlines pilot, who spent two years on its construction. It was powered by a nose-mounted 150 hp Franklin 6A4-150 air-cooled flat six.
Variants
Only one Bal-Aire was built.
Where you'll see it
The Bal-Aire won second prize for outstanding workmanship at the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in. It was restored to flight during the 1990s.
Related aircraft
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