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Lazair # |
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Photo: Robert Deering 10/23/2006 Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Dulles International Airport (IAD) Chantilly, Virginia |
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In Canada in 1978, Dale Kramer
designed the Lazair and he and Peter Corley built the
first prototype. This was one of the first twin-engine
ultralights and the configuration marked an important
step to increase the reliability of these simple and
inexpensive aircraft. He and Corley built the aircraft
from aluminum sheets and tubing, and then covered the
wings with transparent mylar. The SS EC model is one of
several that the Ultraflight factory produced. All
Lazairs shared the same basic airframe, but each model
was equipped with different engines, a different cockpit
enclosure, and structural modifications to support
increases in engine power. The Lazair was among the first ultralights to attract serious attention from police officers interested in using these airplanes to aid law-enforcement. The twin tractor engines promised increased reliability and the factory could install electric starting as an option to ease operations on the ground and in the air. Police surveillance pilots also preferred the airplane-style, stick-and-rudder flight controls. Many other ultralights still used some form of weight-shift controls at this time. This particular aircraft was the second ultralight tested by officers of the Monterey Park Police Department in California. This group was the first unit in the nation to experiment with an ultralight aircraft used in a surveillance role. Monterey Park city and police department officials also generously donated that first airplane, an American Aerolights Double Eagle, to the NASM collection. |
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