Pterodactyl Ascender

The Pterodactyl Ascender is a family of U.S. designed and built ultralight aircraft that were sold in kit form between 1979 and 1984 under Pterodactyl Limited and is currently being sold by DFE Ultralights. With a total production of 1 396 aircraft between 1979 and 1984 plus limited production today as the DFE Ascender III series the aircraft has been one of the most influential designs in ultralight aviation.

I had a Pterodactyl Ascender back in the 1980's, this thing really performed!, flew many cross country flights, went to 8000 ft one evening, what a rush that was!! 1
inventors of the Pterodactyl Ascender series of hang gliders. A few years after the crash, Jack Peterson, Jr. flew a Pterodactyl across the continental United States in 120-mile hops.2
old Pterodactyl Ascender, and the key word is OLD. I built it from a kit, (remember those) in '81.3
Pterodactyl Ascender and Graeme Henderson in a Shark Trike. This constituted the biggest assembly of microlights to gather in New Zealand thus far.4
Pterodactyl Ascender II Landing at MULA fly-in Pterodactyl Ascender II Landing at MULA fly-in. Superb landing.5

Made by Pterodactyl Limited.

It is the successor of the Hang gliding .

PTERODACTYL ASCENDER II+ Air Crashed in 8/27/1983 at 645 - HASKELL, OKLAHOMA, USAPTERODACTYL ASCENDER II+ was owned by FREEDOM WINGS INC., and operated by .6
Pterodactyl Ascender microlights involved in mid-air breakups suggested design deficiencies.7
The Pterodactyl Ascender is a family of U.S.8
To this day the Pterodactyl ascender is viewed as a master piece of aviation engineering for Ultra Light enthusiasts’ world wide.9
Height Main
320.04
Height Alt
3.2 m
Predecessor
Hang gliding
Stall Speed Main
17 mph
Length Alt
3.5 m
Max Takeoff Weight Main
350.0
Jet Or Prop
prop
Range Main
56 miles
Designer
Jack McCornack
Introduced
1979
Loading Main
2
Power/mass Main
22
Developed From
Manta Fledge IIB hang glider
Power/mass Alt
Max Speed Main
50 mph
Cruise Speed Main
45 mph
Max Takeoff Weight Alt
159.0
Number Built
1396
Crew
one pilot
Never Exceed Speed Main
50mph
Unit Cost
2750.0
USD$2750
Span Main
1005.84
Cruise Speed Alt
73.0
Area Main
162.0
Useful Load Main
225.0
Useful Load Alt
102.0
Span Alt
10.15 m
Plane Or Copter?
plane
Never Exceed Speed Alt
80.0
Engine(prop)
Xenoah 242 two stroke
Manufacturer
Pterodactyl Limited
Number Of Props
1
First Flight
1977
Production End Year
1984
Origin
United States
National Origin
United States
Climb Rate Main
300.0
Power Main
16 hp
Production Start Year
1979
Stall Speed Alt
28.0
Climb Rate Alt
5520.0
Length Main
350.52000000000004
Area Alt
15.3 m²
Range Alt
91.0
Similar Aircraft
* AmEagle American Eaglet* AmeriPlanes Mitchell Wing A-10* Chotia Weedhopper* Eipper Quicksilver* Moyes Dragonfly - also used for towing hang gliders* UFM Easy Riser* Ultraflight Lazair* Wings of Freedom Flitplane* Zenair Zipper
Max Speed Alt
80.0
Empty Weight Main
125.0
Power Alt
12.0
Category
Canard aircraft
Homebuilt aircraft
United States ultralight aircraft 1970-1979
Produced
1979
Empty Weight Alt
56.7
Loading Alt
10

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