Sandlin Bug
Mike Sandlin · United States · first flew 1999 · glider
The Sandlin Bug (Basic Ultralight Glider) is an American biplane, cable-braced, single-seat ultralight glider designed by Mike Sandlin.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.21 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Cable-braced biplane wings with V-shaped interplane struts
- Bolted aluminium tube structure covered with heat-shrunk Dacron
- Fixed monowheel gear and an open seat with no windshield
It can be launched by aerotow, auto-tow, winch or by rolling down a slope, and is flown for soaring rather than aerobatics. Controls are a centre stick and rudder pedals.
Specifications
- The Sandlin Bug has a length of 5.21 m (17 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.75 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 72 km/h (45 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Bug first flew in February 1999. It was designed as an inexpensive, easy to fly three-axis aircraft similar to a primary glider, which the designer terms an airchair.
Variants
The Bug 2 was the initial version, and the Bug 4 is the improved version whose drawings are still available. The Sandlin Goat is a related design.
Where you'll see it
It is provided as technical drawings for amateur construction, released free to the public domain. At under 155 lb empty it qualifies under the US FAR 103 ultralight rules.
Related aircraft
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