Wood Sky Pup

Sky Pup: The Ultimate “Hardware Store” Airplane

The Sky Pup is not just an ultralight; it is a rebellion against expensive aviation. Designed by Stephen Wood, this legendary aircraft proves that you don’t need exotic alloys or expensive aircraft-grade parts to fly. Its genius lies in its construction: it is built almost entirely from common materials found at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s. It represents the absolute cheapest and most accessible path to the sky.

Why Is It a Legend?

• Radical Affordability: Forget “Aircraft Spruce” catalogs. The fuselage and wing ribs are made from common blue/pink insulation foam (XPS) and pine or fir lumber. The structure is held together with standard Titebond wood glue and epoxy. It is literally a plane built from house insulation and shelving wood.

• The “Foam and Fabric” Wonder: It uses a unique “low-tech composite” method. You cut the foam with a hot wire or a saw, glue on the wood spars, and cover it. Some builders even use heavy-duty brown wrapping paper or bedsheets with house paint for the covering (though Dacron is standard).

• Zero Complex Tools: If you can build a birdhouse, you can build a Sky Pup. No welding, no riveting, and no metalworking skills are required. All you need is a flat table, a saw, some clamps, and sandpaper.

• A Powered Glider: Despite its humble materials, it is aerodynamically sophisticated. It flies on a whisper of power (often just 20 hp) and has the glide characteristics of a sailplane, making it safe, slow, and incredibly forgiving for new pilots.

Performance and Key Numbers
The Sky Pup is not built for speed; it is built for pure, low-and-slow enjoyment. Its light weight gives it incredible lift.

General Specifications:

• Crew: 1 pilot

• Wingspan: 31 ft (9.4 m) [Note: Often built with longer wings for better glide]

• Length: 16 ft (4.9 m)

• Wing Area: 130 sq ft (12.1 m²)

• Empty Weight: Only 200 – 220 lbs (90 – 100 kg)

• Max Takeoff Weight: 450 lbs (204 kg)

• Useful Load: Approx. 230 lbs (104 kg)

• Typical Engine Power: 18 – 28 hp (Rotax 277, Cuyuna, or half-VW)

Performance:

• Glide Ratio: 12:1 to 14:1 (Outstanding for an ultralight)

• Cruise Speed: 55 – 60 mph (88 – 96 km/h)

• Stall Speed: 26 – 28 mph (42 – 45 km/h)

• Rate of Climb: 400 – 500 ft/min (2 – 2.5 m/s)

• Takeoff Distance: 150 – 200 ft (45 – 60 m)

• Fuel Consumption: 1.5 – 2 gallons per hour (5 – 7 L/h)

• Range: Approx. 450 km

In short, the Sky Pup is the perfect choice if you have more patience than money. It is the ultimate proof that with enough foam, glue, and determination, anyone can build a safe, fun flying machine in their own garage.