CGS Hawk
Encyclopedia
The CGS Hawk is a family of high wing, strut
-braced, pusher configuration
, single and two-seats-in-tandem ultralight aircraft, designed by Chuck Slusarczyk and manufactured by CGS Aviation.
and AirVenture to find out what they wanted in a new ultralight aircraft design. The survey revealed pilots were looking for:
When the resulting Hawk first flew in January 1982 it was the first ultralight aircraft with an enclosed cockpit and to use strut bracing. The aircraft was intended to meet the requirements of the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles
category, including that category's maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight.
The Hawk wing is strut-braced, constructed from aluminum tubing and covered with either pre-sewn Dacron envelopes or doped aircraft fabric. The wing also features flaps. The fuselage is of similar construction and uses a curved boom tube for its main structural member. The curved tube allows the tail to be located higher, out of the wing's downwash, especially when the flaps are extended. Landing gear for all models is optionally tricycle or conventional.
The Hawks are available as aircraft kits
, quick-build kits, or completed aircraft.
. The prototype won Best New Design for 1982.
At the EAA Convention held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
that same year the Hawk was named Outstanding New Design and also Reserve Grand Champion.
At Oshkosh 1983, the Hawk won the Dupont Kevlar Air Recreational Vehicle Design Competition against more than 126 other designs.
Hawk Arrow
Hawk Plus
Hawk Sport
Hawk Ultra
AG-Hawk
Hawk Arrow II
Strut
A strut is a structural component designed to resist longitudinal compression. Struts provide outwards-facing support in their lengthwise direction, which can be used to keep two other components separate, performing the opposite function of a tie...
-braced, pusher configuration
Pusher configuration
In a craft with a pusher configuration the propeller are mounted behind their respective engine. According to Bill Gunston, a "pusher propeller" is one mounted behind engine so that drive shaft is in compression...
, single and two-seats-in-tandem ultralight aircraft, designed by Chuck Slusarczyk and manufactured by CGS Aviation.
Development
Designer Chuck Slusarczyk established himself as a hang glider designer in the early 1970s, including producing engine power units for hang gliders. In October 1979, his company, Chuck's Glider Supplies was renamed CGS Aviation. In 1980 Slusarczyk surveyed pilots at Sun 'n FunSun 'n Fun
Sun 'n Fun is a "Fly-in" and airshow held annually at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida, usually during the second or third week of April....
and AirVenture to find out what they wanted in a new ultralight aircraft design. The survey revealed pilots were looking for:
- an enclosed cockpit with removable doors
- three axis controls
- flapsFlap (aircraft)Flaps are normally hinged surfaces mounted on the trailing edges of the wings of a fixed-wing aircraft to reduce the speed an aircraft can be safely flown at and to increase the angle of descent for landing without increasing air speed. They shorten takeoff and landing distances as well as...
and not flaperons - strutStrutA strut is a structural component designed to resist longitudinal compression. Struts provide outwards-facing support in their lengthwise direction, which can be used to keep two other components separate, performing the opposite function of a tie...
s in place of cable-bracing - the choice of tricycle gearTricycle gearTricycle gear describes an aircraft undercarriage, or landing gear, arranged in a tricycle fashion. The tricycle arrangement has one wheel in the front, called the nose wheel, and two or more main wheels slightly aft of the center of gravity...
, with a steerable nose wheel or conventional landing gearConventional landing gearthumb|The [[Piper PA-18|Piper Super Cub]] is a popular taildragger aircraft.thumb|right|A [[Cessna 150]] converted to taildragger configuration by installation of an after-market modification kit....
, with a steerable tail wheel - pusher configurationPusher configurationIn a craft with a pusher configuration the propeller are mounted behind their respective engine. According to Bill Gunston, a "pusher propeller" is one mounted behind engine so that drive shaft is in compression...
When the resulting Hawk first flew in January 1982 it was the first ultralight aircraft with an enclosed cockpit and to use strut bracing. The aircraft was intended to meet the requirements of the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles
Ultralight aircraft (United States)
Ultralight aircraft in the United States are much smaller and lighter than ultralight aircraft in all other countries.In the USA ultralights are classified as vehicles and not aircraft and are thus not required to be registered or for the pilot to have a pilot licence or certificate.- US definition...
category, including that category's maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight.
The Hawk wing is strut-braced, constructed from aluminum tubing and covered with either pre-sewn Dacron envelopes or doped aircraft fabric. The wing also features flaps. The fuselage is of similar construction and uses a curved boom tube for its main structural member. The curved tube allows the tail to be located higher, out of the wing's downwash, especially when the flaps are extended. Landing gear for all models is optionally tricycle or conventional.
The Hawks are available as aircraft kits
Homebuilt aircraft
Also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, homebuilt aircraft are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch," from plans, or from assembly kits.-Overview:...
, quick-build kits, or completed aircraft.
Operational history
The Hawk was first introduced to the public at Sun N Fun in March 1982 in Lakeland, FloridaLakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
. The prototype won Best New Design for 1982.
At the EAA Convention held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
that same year the Hawk was named Outstanding New Design and also Reserve Grand Champion.
At Oshkosh 1983, the Hawk won the Dupont Kevlar Air Recreational Vehicle Design Competition against more than 126 other designs.
Single seaters
Hawk Classic- Single seat, original design, introduced in 1982 and still in production. 982 flying in 2007. Standard empty weight 310 lb (141 kg) with a 600 lb (272 kg) gross weight.. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447Rotax 447|-Specifications :...
, 52 hp Rotax 503Rotax 503|-Specifications :...
, 65 hp Rotax 582Rotax 582|-Specifications :-External links:*...
, 40 hp Hirth 2702Hirth 2702-External links:**...
, 55 hp Hirth 3202Hirth 3202-External links:**...
, 65 hp Hirth 3203 and the four-stroke 60 hp HKS 700EHKS 700E|-See also:...
.
Hawk Arrow
- Single seat, with a less sloped windshield, longer nose, larger tail surfaces, flatter floor and reinforced tail boom. 130 flying in 2007. Standard empty weight 330 lb (150 kg) with a 625 lb (283 kg) gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447Rotax 447|-Specifications :...
, 52 hp Rotax 503Rotax 503|-Specifications :...
, 65 hp Rotax 582Rotax 582|-Specifications :-External links:*...
, 40 hp Hirth 2702Hirth 2702-External links:**...
, 55 hp Hirth 3202Hirth 3202-External links:**...
, 65 hp Hirth 3203 and the four-stroke 60 hp HKS 700EHKS 700E|-See also:...
.
Hawk Plus
- Single seat, based on the Arrow two-seater, with only the front seat fitted, intended as a freight carrier. 64 flying in 2007. Standard empty weight 350 lb (159 kg) with a 800 lb (363 kg) gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447Rotax 447|-Specifications :...
, 52 hp Rotax 503Rotax 503|-Specifications :...
, 65 hp Rotax 582Rotax 582|-Specifications :-External links:*...
, 40 hp Hirth 2702Hirth 2702-External links:**...
, 55 hp Hirth 3202Hirth 3202-External links:**...
, 65 hp Hirth 3203 and the four-stroke 60 hp HKS 700EHKS 700E|-See also:...
.
Hawk Sport
- Single seat, developed to compete in the 1999 European World Air GamesWorld Air GamesWorld Air Games is an international air sports event organized by Fédération Aéronautique Internationale , inspired by the Olympic Games and held every four years.-Competitions:*Aerobatics*Aeromodeling...
. It has competition features, including streamlined struts and landing gear legs, no jury struts, a semi-symmetrical airfoil and 3 in (8 cm) extra headroom. Standard empty weight 310 lb (141 kg) with a 625 lb (283 kg) gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447Rotax 447|-Specifications :...
, 52 hp Rotax 503Rotax 503|-Specifications :...
, 65 hp Rotax 582Rotax 582|-Specifications :-External links:*...
or the 40 hp Hirth 2702Hirth 2702-External links:**...
.
Hawk Ultra
- Single seat, based on the Classic. The Classic weighed under 254 lb (115 kg) when introduced, but became heavier as amenities were added and thus no longer qualified for FAR 103. The Ultra model is a lightened version to comply with the FAR 103 rules. Seven flying in 2007. Standard empty weight 254 lb (115 kg) with a 600 lb (272 kg) gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447Rotax 447|-Specifications :...
or the 35 hp Kawasaki 440Kawasaki 440|-See also:...
.
AG-Hawk
- No longer in production. 30 reported flying in 1998. Single seat, based on the Arrow and equipped as an agricultural aircraftAgricultural aircraftAn agricultural aircraft is an aircraft that has been built or converted for agricultural use - usually aerial application of pesticides or fertilizer ; in these roles they are referred to as "crop dusters" or "top dressers"...
for spraying. Standard empty weight 275 lb (125 kg) with a 800 lb (363 kg) gross weight. Specified engine was the two-stroke 65 hp Rotax 582Rotax 582|-Specifications :-External links:*...
.
Two seaters
Hawk Classic II- Introduced in 1985 and no longer in production. 290 reported flying in 1998. Two seats in tandem, based on the Classic. Standard empty weight 340 lb (154 kg) with a 800 lb (363 kg) gross weight. Engines available included the two-stroke, 52 hp Rotax 503Rotax 503|-Specifications :...
, 65 hp Rotax 582Rotax 582|-Specifications :-External links:*...
, 55 hp Hirth 2703 and the 65 hp Hirth 2706.
Hawk Arrow II
- Two seats in tandem, with the rear seat raised for visibility. Based on the Classic, but with a less sloped windshield, longer nose, larger tail surfaces, flatter floor and reinforced tail boom. available as a fully assembled US Special Light Sport Aircraft. It incorporates the semi-symmetrical airfoil and streamlined extruded aluminum wing struts from the Hawk Sport. 180 flying in 2007. Standard empty weight 420 lb (191 kg) with a 950 lb (431 kg) gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke, 52 hp Rotax 503Rotax 503|-Specifications :...
, 65 hp Rotax 582Rotax 582|-Specifications :-External links:*...
, 55 hp Hirth 3202Hirth 3202-External links:**...
, 65 hp Hirth 3203, 80 hp Hirth F30, 100 hp Hirth 3701 and the four-stroke 60 hp HKS 700EHKS 700E|-See also:...
.