Produced by Ultralight Soaring Aviation in Bemidji, Minnesota, Cumulus is a lightweight motorglider that encourages soaring flight while keeping a lid on costs. Even with options and finish paint, a 40-hp Rotax 447-powered Cumulus can get airborne for under $20,000. Read a review.
In the 1990s I tried my hand at developing an airplane. While that business venture didn’t make me a millionaire, it provided a valuable lesson about what it takes to stay in the light-sport airplane business. Later, I realized the project needed someone who understood building techniques better than I did. That man was Dave Ekstrom and he ultimately took over my design, the Cumulus, a motorglider. He calls his business Ultralight Soaring Aviation LLC . *** In the world of soaring, a motorglider is an expensive flying machine, making it not so different than high-end LSA that cost $130,000 or more. But Ekstrom comes from the world of homebuilts and he knew he could produce a kit for a lot less if buyers were willing to pull a few rivets (about 300 total hours are needed). *** One of the 21 Cumulus builders is Andre Girard of Ottawa, Canada, who kindly provided Dave with the photos you see (five Cumulus kits are now airborne). On such a lovely day for flying Cumulus has calculated performance of 20:1 glide and a sink rate less than 200 fpm. From personal experience, I can vouch for those numbers as easily facilitating soaring flight. Yet you always have an engine to get you back home.
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