CA 2 ultralight, Hummel Aviation CA 2 ultralight aircraft.

Ultralight aviation was inspired by grass roots aviators! You can't get more grass roots than the Hummel CA-2 a little 250 lbs single seat all metal craft that you build from plans.

At the show I came across a little CA-2 that was recently completed by Delmar Preston of Cochranton PA.

According the Delmar "the plans come in 17 x 11 sheets, are very clear and easy to follow, and include a step by step builders manual which also gives you a complete parts list and materials list."

Delmar says the plane can be built with regular tools but he purchased "a small 30 inch shear and an air riveter to help install the over 4,000 rivets." Delmar built his CA 2 in his basement which required cutting a hole in the wall to get it out.

His shop area was 14 x 10 feet. He started construction on the tail first to get the feel of building his "first plane" and then moved on to the wings and then the fuselage.

In total he put in about 400 hours on the airframe and another 200 hours on engine installation, paint and rigging. He indicated that there was no welding required in the whole plane, "just a lot of pop rivets and bolts."

His little CA-2 is powered by a half Volkswagen engine, with 94 mm jugs and a 69 mm stroke. He also built the engine from plans and installed a secondary motorcycle ignition. The engine is direct drive and spins a 54 x 22 Tennessee wood prop. This engine and prop configuration gives him a take off distance of about 200 feet a climb of around 300 feet per minute and a cruise of 55 mph on 1.5 gallons of fuel per hour!

The airframe materials can be purchased for around $2,500 and there is a great little newsletter available for $10 per year.

For more information on the CA-2 contact

Horsepower: 28 hp
Fuel Capacity: 5 gal 19 L
Range: 125 nm 232 km 144 mi
Cruise: 43 kts 80 kmh 49 mph
Stall: 22 kts 41 kmh 25 mph
Climb: 600 ft/min 3 m/sec
Takeoff Distance: 100 ft 30 m
Landing Distance: 200 ft 61 m

Gross Weight: 500 lbs 227 kg
Empty Weight: 250 lbs 113 kg
Useful Load: 250 lbs 113 kg
Wingspan: 26 ft 7.92 m  
Length: 16.5 ft 5.03 m

Website

For more information on the CA-2 contact

Delmar Preston
PO Box 32 Cochranton
PA 16314

Hummel Aviation
Bryan, Ohio
209 N. Union
Bryan Ohio 43506
Phone 419-636-6700

https://flyhummel.com/

Single place Part 103 ultralights in the United States are defined as single place ultralight aircraft that weigh 254 lbs or less, have a stall speed not more than 24 knots, a top speed of 55 knots, and carry no more than 5 gallons of fuel. To fly a legal Part 103 ultralight aircraft in the United States the pilot does not require a pilot license. 

Single place aircraft weighing more than 254 lbs. in the U.S. require a pilots license and must be built as experimental, amateur built, homebuilt aircraft. These include weight shift aircraft, more commonly known as trikes, powered parachutes, and powered para-gliders.