The first certified Australian LightWing has had a colourful history flying the Australian skies, and is still going strong.
It was manufactured in 1986, with completion on the 14th of October.
The first pictures we have of her are these stunning snapshots of life at the Factory on Smith Drive, in West Ballina, NSW.
All the parts assembled and ready to go! (A unique first day of school photo for the kids).
Certified as AUF#25 0032, the Australian LightWing took to the sky, and nothing has got in her way ever since.
We thank the owner for finding the copy of this article in the Pacific Ultralights Monthly magazine, published in March, 1995.
History of the First LightWing. By Dik Richardson.
25:0032 was the first production LightWing ever made, hence it’s airframe No. W 001.
The Aircraft took the trophy for “Grand Champion Ultralight” at Mangalore in 1987.
In the same year it became the first LightWing to fly across Australia from West to East. Between 11th May and 26th June, 1987, Major Don McNaught and a team of soliders flew it from Perth, WA, to Port Macquarie, NSW, via Port Hedland and Alic Springs – a distance of 7,000 kms. The operation was an army adventure training exercise called “Operation Persistance”. Three ultralights took part, two FlightStars and the 0032.
Her Early Life
Early in her life 25:0032 was a float plane for a while whilst being used as a demonstrator by her makers. October 1987 saw her first flight as a float plane when she took off from the Richmond River. She is still alive and well and still looking brand new as can be seen from the photos.
Specifications:
Reg: 25-0032
Made by Hughes Engineering
Year: 1986
Engine: Rotax 532 – 65 hp 2 stroke twin cyl ADIC dual ignition. Liquid cooled.
Prop: Ground adjustable 2 blade by GSC
Fuel: Premium unleaded and Penrite TS 40C oil premixed at 40:1 mixture
Cap: 105 litres in 2 x 30 lt wing tanks. 1 x 45 lt long range tank behind seats.
Consumptions: 15 lts per hour
Cruise Speed: 75 Knots
Span: 7.325 metres
Chord: 1.4 metres
Wing Area: 160 sq ft
Length: 5.4 metres
Empty Weight: 200 kgs
MTOW: 400kgs
0032 Today: Her owner keeps her in great nick and loves his Australian LightWing aircraft.
Thanks for the photos!
Great read thanks lightwing for building a future for her to follow .
0032 now at midge point Qld owned bye Nigel Tucker !
I have just got a Lightwing 912 s I believe a 100hp Rotex it’s a basket case two trailer loads of bits I don’t know what the serial no is but hope to get some idea when I get the engine on the bench and start working on it
I have the the airframe cleaned up and painted it’s a well made airframe very strong hope to get it flying by the end of the year
Hi John. If you look at the back of the door hinge brackets, there should be a serial number of the fuselage. Or if you let us know some more info we should be able to trace it back. Please email fly@lightwing.com.au to contact us directly. Enjoy the refurb process! And let us know if you’d like advice, service and repairs carried out.
hi john just saw your old lightwing post,howdid it turn out