Steen Skybolt
Steen Aero Lab · USA · first flew 1970 · light aircraft
The Steen Skybolt is a plans-built two-seat aerobatic biplane designed for unlimited-category manoeuvres, combining wood and steel tube construction with fabric covering. It is a serious aerobatic machine, not merely a sport biplane.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.64 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- two-bay biplane with equal-span staggered wings and N-struts
- open tandem cockpits with rollover structure
- symmetrical aerofoil section visible at the wing tips
Equal-span staggered biplane wings, open tandem cockpits, N-type interplane struts, and aerobatic-grade construction distinguish the Skybolt.
Specifications
- The Steen Skybolt has a length of 5.64 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.32 m (24 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 241 km/h (150 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Lamar Steen designed the Skybolt in the late 1960s, with first flight in 1970, intending a capable homebuilt aerobatic aircraft to rival factory-built designs. Construction uses a welded steel tube fuselage with wooden wing spars and fabric covering, a combination accessible to experienced builders. Plans are still available from Steen Aero Lab.
Variants
There are no major factory variants; individual builders vary engine choice between Lycoming O-320 and O-360 units for different aerobatic performance.
Where you'll see it
Steen Skybolts hold UK LAA permits and appear at aerobatic displays and fly-ins; their biplane configuration and symmetrical wing make them a crowd favourite.
Related aircraft
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