What's a Pelican?

The Ultravia Pelican is a Light Sports Aircraft (it is NOT an 'Ultralight!). It's a Canadian design that can be bought in kit form and built in your own shed, anywhere in the world. This particular Pelican was built in Ayr, North Queensland by my friend Harold Cislowski, to his usual meticulous standards. I bought it from Harold in 2012.

It's a two-seater aircraft that cruises at over 100 knots and can carry myself, my wife and 30kg of luggage. That's as well as enough fuel for five hours flying time...but who has a five hour bladder... We are probably thirstier than it is, it consumes a mere 15 litres per hour (on average). It prefers premium unleaded petrol to Avgas. After a return trip to our nearest mainland town of Burketown, I cannot fit a jerrycan of fuel into the tanks. It is cheaper to run than our car...

The engine is a sturdy Rotax 912 and as the aircraft is RA-AUS (not GA) registered, much of the maintainance can be done by myself. Over the years, and with the help of aviation friends, we have replaced the windscreen and prop blades, along with the usual oil and other routine maintainance tasks. It is a very low-maintance aircraft, compared with the GA registered Cherokee Piper Arrow that we used to own.

Originally built as a taildragger, Harold reluctantly agreed to convert it to tricycle undercarriage for this non-traditionalist pilot. The high-wing, side-by-side seating and spacious elbow-indents/armrests in the doors ideally suit cruising around scenic north Queensland. The large tail gives good control in gusty crosswind landings. I removed the wheel spats, added some electronics, including a 12v charger for the iPad and Spidertracks unit. My wife covered the seats and door linings with red leather (she reckons it goes faster now :-)

There are lots of images in the Gallery...