Tipsy Nipper
Tipsy Aircraft · Belgium · first flew 1957 · light aircraft
The Tipsy Nipper is a very small single-seat light aircraft designed in Belgium for homebuilding and sport flying. Its compact dimensions and low weight make it one of the smallest powered aeroplanes of its era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Unusually small span and stubby fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tiny single-seat ultralight monoplane
- Unusually small span and stubby fuselage
- Fixed tricycle or tailwheel undercarriage on a diminutive airframe
Extremely small low-wing monoplane with a bubble canopy and very short fuselage; the diminutive proportions are the primary identification cue.
Specifications
- The Tipsy Nipper has a length of 4.5 m (15 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 5.99 m (20 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 162 km/h (101 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by E.O. Tips of Avions Fairey's Belgian subsidiary and first flown in 1957, the Nipper was sold both as a factory-built aircraft and in kit form. It attracted a devoted following across Europe among amateur constructors and sport pilots.
Variants
Three main marks were produced — the T.66 Series 1, 2, and 3 — differing chiefly in engine fit and minor structural refinements.
Where you'll see it
The Nipper remained popular with homebuilders into the 1970s and examples continue to fly on the European light-aviation scene today.
Related aircraft
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