When the Australian Department of Transport promulgated ANO (Air Navigation Order) 95.10 in November 1976 at the urging of Ron Wheeler of Wheeler "Scout" fame, Australia was the first country in the world to legislate for the operation of powered hang gliders and minimum aircraft. The legislation covered powered aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 400lb (181.8 kg) and a maximum wing loading at 4 lbs per sqare foot (19.53 Kgf/m2). The legislation encouraged others to begin the manufacture of minimum aircraft and one of the earliest production aircraft after the Wheeler "Scout" was the Cohen "Stolaero" with a production run of 20 aircraft. Another aircraft designed and built during this early phase of microlight development in Australia was the Kimberley "Sky-Rider". Designed by Qantas 747 pilot Gary Kimberley, the "Sky-Rider" was more sophisitcated than either the "Scout" which was extremely basic and the "Stolaero" which boasted three axis controls and a relatively powerful engine compared to the "Scout". The "Sky-Rider" also with three axis controls, included flaps to facilitate better landing and takeoff characteristics. The "Sky-Rider" did not go into series production but Gary Kimberley made plans available throughout the world and, thus "Sky-Riders" have appeared in a number of countries.

The Kimberley Sky-Rider was designed and manufactured by Gary Kimberley to participate in microlight aviation following the promulgation of ANO 95.10 by the Department of Transport.

Inspiration for the design of the Sky-Rider was born out of Mr Kimberley's interest in hang gliding and his urge to go one step further. He says "the beauty of the design lies in its simplicity of construction and the relative ease with which it can be broken down for storage or transportation. Its basic conventional configuration enables it to be fitted with a wide variety of engines and propeller sizes and the design allows large variations in pilot weight with little or no change in airplane trim. The aircraft has been designed to comply with the Australian Department of Transport's Air savigation Order 95.10 which covers powered hang gliders and minimum aircraft (ultra-lights) and specifies a maximum take off weight of 400 lbs and a maximum wing loading of 4 lbs/sq ft. With a measured empty weight of 195 lbs and a wing area of 144 sq ft, the Sky-Rider easily complies with this requirement with a 200lb pilot. Although it is of generally conventional design, the Sky-Rider incorporates a number of interesting and unusual features which provide the amateur home-builder with a unique capability to optimise airframe configuration for the various flight regimes and performance required - an approach which, I believe has considerable potential."

After the construction of the Sky-Rider, Mr Kimberley received many requests from enthusiasts who wanted kits and plans, but as he was not in a position to produce and market these, Mr Kimberley sent his drawings and instructions for a small cost of US $35.

The aircraft was flown exclusively by My Gary Kimberley at St Marys, New South Wales and it was exhibited at the 1978 Schofields Air Show.

The legalisation of microlight aviation internationally was an Australian initiative. With the promulgation of Air Navigation Order 95.10 in 1976, Australia led the world, not only in legislation, but in design and construction of microlight aircraft. Chronologically, the Sky-Rider was the thid design and production in microlight development after Wheeler's successful Scout and Cohen's one off "Tin Thing" and "Mosquito". However, the Sky-Rider achieved greater international renown that any of its predecessors and successors because of its three-axis controls, flaps and wheel brakes greatly increasing its controlability and safety.

The merits of the design were recognised internationally with the Sky-Rider receiving an 'Outstanding Individual Achievement Award' in 1978 from the Experimental Aircraft Association in the United States. This recognition, plus the listing of the Sky-Rider in Janes "All the World's Aircraft" and Berger-Burr's "Ultralight and Microlight Aircraft of the World", have led to the sale of more than 170 sets of plans to 14 countries.

It is also worthy of note that the designer/constructor of the Sky-Rider was, for a number of years a leading personality in Australian Microlight aviation. As president of the Minimum Aircraft Federation of Australia he was the author and publisher of a limited edition journal "Miniplane" as well as a contributor to the American Experimental Aircraft Association journal and the Australian Sports Aircraft Association journal. He was also the author of a book entitled "Fun Flying - A Total Guide to Ultralights" published in America.

Aircraft and documents, full-size, Microlight, Kimberley Sky-Rider Prototype, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1977

Microlight Kimberley Sky-Rider constructed of aluminium tubing with orange dacron sail cloth covering the airfoil surfaces. It is fitted with three axis controls: ailerons, elevators and a rudder and three position flaps for take-off, flying and landing. Accompanying the aircraft is a book of designs and notes for its construction.

Specifications:
Wing span: 9.8m (32 ft 4 in)
Gross weight: 181 kg (400 lbs)
Wing area: 13.4 sq m (144 sq ft)
Cruise speed: 64 km/h (40 mph)
Range: 45 min
Engine: 11.2 kW (15 hp) Fuji Robin

Designed: Kimberley, Gary; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Made: Kimberley, Gary; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1977


Used: Kimberley, Gary; St Marys, New South Wales; 1977

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