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AM-FIB | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Polaris FIB hull and motor on display at Sun 'n Fun 2004 | |
Role | Ultralight trike |
National origin | Italy |
Manufacturer | Polaris Motor |
Introduction | mid-1980s |
Status | In production (2013) |
Variants | Polaris AM-FIB |
The Polaris FIB ("Flying Inflatable Boat") is an Italian flying boat ultralight trike, designed and produced by Polaris Motor of Gubbio. The aircraft was introduced in the mid-1980s and remains in production. It is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft. [1] [2]
The FIB complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The FIB has a maximum gross weight of 406 kg (895 lb). [1] [2]
The aircraft features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in- tandem open cockpit, an inflatable boat hull and a single engine in pusher configuration. The FIB has no wheeled landing gear, but as a result of customer demand it was later developed into the amphibious Polaris AM-FIB. [1]
The FIB's single surface wing is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing and covered in Dacron sailcloth. The 11.15 m (36.6 ft) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The powerplant is a twin cylinder, liquid-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine. [1]
The aircraft has an empty weight of 216 kg (476 lb) and a gross weight of 406 kg (895 lb), giving a useful load of 190 kg (419 lb). With full fuel of 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal) the payload is 161 kg (355 lb). [1] [2]
The company continues to develop the design and in 2010 introduced a new hull shape to increase performance in the water and in the air. [1]
Dimitri Delemarie, writing in The World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, said of the design, "It will never win any speed records, but if there were an award for fun, it would be right up there at the top." [1]
Since 1986 Polaris Motor has sold an average of 80-100 trikes and 200 wings per year. Naturally all Polaris wings can be easily installed in other brands of trikes, with the possibility of personalization. [3]
The FIB is used by a number of government operators, including police and coastguards. [2]
In the early 2000s the company offered a version with the same wing, but without a boat hull, using a conventional minimalist trike frame mounted on wheeled landing gear or optionally skis. Even though it did not have a boat hull it was still marketed under the FIB name. [2]
Data from Bayerl [1]
General characteristics
Performance
![]() | A major contributor to this article appears to have a
close connection with its subject. (March 2024) |
AM-FIB | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Polaris FIB hull and motor on display at Sun 'n Fun 2004 | |
Role | Ultralight trike |
National origin | Italy |
Manufacturer | Polaris Motor |
Introduction | mid-1980s |
Status | In production (2013) |
Variants | Polaris AM-FIB |
The Polaris FIB ("Flying Inflatable Boat") is an Italian flying boat ultralight trike, designed and produced by Polaris Motor of Gubbio. The aircraft was introduced in the mid-1980s and remains in production. It is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft. [1] [2]
The FIB complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The FIB has a maximum gross weight of 406 kg (895 lb). [1] [2]
The aircraft features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in- tandem open cockpit, an inflatable boat hull and a single engine in pusher configuration. The FIB has no wheeled landing gear, but as a result of customer demand it was later developed into the amphibious Polaris AM-FIB. [1]
The FIB's single surface wing is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing and covered in Dacron sailcloth. The 11.15 m (36.6 ft) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The powerplant is a twin cylinder, liquid-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine. [1]
The aircraft has an empty weight of 216 kg (476 lb) and a gross weight of 406 kg (895 lb), giving a useful load of 190 kg (419 lb). With full fuel of 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal) the payload is 161 kg (355 lb). [1] [2]
The company continues to develop the design and in 2010 introduced a new hull shape to increase performance in the water and in the air. [1]
Dimitri Delemarie, writing in The World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, said of the design, "It will never win any speed records, but if there were an award for fun, it would be right up there at the top." [1]
Since 1986 Polaris Motor has sold an average of 80-100 trikes and 200 wings per year. Naturally all Polaris wings can be easily installed in other brands of trikes, with the possibility of personalization. [3]
The FIB is used by a number of government operators, including police and coastguards. [2]
In the early 2000s the company offered a version with the same wing, but without a boat hull, using a conventional minimalist trike frame mounted on wheeled landing gear or optionally skis. Even though it did not have a boat hull it was still marketed under the FIB name. [2]
Data from Bayerl [1]
General characteristics
Performance