Spectrum Beaver RX550
| Beaver | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| ASAP Beaver RX 550 Plus | |
| Role | Ultralight aircraft |
| National origin | Canada |
| Manufacturer |
Spectrum Aircraft Beaver RX Enterprises Fun Flight Inc Aircraft Sales and Parts |
| First flight | 1983 |
| Introduction | 1983 |
| Status | Kits in production |
| Number built | 2080 (2011) |
| Variants | Freedom Lite SS-11 Skywatch |
The Spectrum Beaver is a family of single- and two-place, pusher configuration, high-wing ultralight aircraft that were first introduced by Spectrum Aircraft of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, in 1983.
Beaver ultralights have evolved as designs over time, have been produced by several companies and remain in production in the 21st century.
The first model Beaver was the RX-28, a simple lightweight single-seat aircraft that was intended to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, including the category's maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight. The model designation indicated that it was Rotax-28 hp as it was powered by the 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277 single-cylinder, two-stroke powerplant. With this engine the RX-28 had an empty weight of 232 lb (105 kg).
The availability of the 35 hp (26 kW) Rotax 377 engine lead to a higher-powered version of the RX-28, which was designated the RX-35. This Beaver model was fitted with floats and continued in production by Spectrum Aircraft until they ceased business in 1992.
Building on the success of the single-seat Beaver models, Spectrum Aircraft introduced the two-place Beaver RX 550 in 1986 and it quickly became the most popular ultralight trainer in Canada. The combination of its predictable and docile handling, along with the reliable Rotax 503 50 hp (37 kW) engine, ensured its success.
Intending to improve on the RX 550, Spectrum introduced the Beaver RX 650 in 1991, intending to place it in the Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplane category (AULA) in Canada. The RX 650 has doors that fold upwards, making it ideal for use on floats. The cockpit cage was changed to welded steel tube, from the previously used aluminum and a sprung tailwheel was added. In service the 650 quickly proved to have structural issues and its acceptance in the AULA category was rescinded by Transport Canada until the issues could be rectified. Most customer 650s were kept flying by operating them in the Basic Ultra-light Aeroplane category. Spectrum Aircraft went out of business in 1992, prior to rectifying the issues with the 650.
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