One place, light weight, straightforward systems and a quick-build airframe—with specifications, current pricing, color choices, electric-propulsion information and model history.
The Aerolite 103 is our professionally built Part 103 single-seat ultralight kit. We assemble every airframe kit in permanent factory jigs. Standard equipment includes your choice of sail colors, nose fairing and windscreen, electric flaps, shock-absorbing main gear, a steerable suspended nose wheel, four-point restraint, a five-gallon aluminum fuel tank with visual fuel-quantity gauge, Dacron covering, aluminum wheels, tubeless 13 × 5 × 6 Carlisle 4-ply tires, hydraulic brakes and a fully anodized airframe.
The quick-build kit is designed for a relatively short assembly. We typically estimate about 30–40 hours for a first-time builder, while experienced builders often finish in less than 30 hours.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Single place |
| Gross weight | 600 lb |
| Length | 16 ft 3.25 in |
| Wing span | 26 ft 10.25 in |
| Wing area | 121 sq ft |
| Fuel capacity | 5 gal standard |
*Wing-loading examples run from 3.72 lb/sq ft at 450 lb to 4.96 lb/sq ft at 600 lb gross.
| Reference | Value |
|---|---|
| Vne — never exceed | 70 mph |
| Va — maneuvering | 50 mph |
| Vfe — max flaps extended | 70 mph |
| Vy — best rate | 45 mph |
| Vx — best angle | 40 mph |
| Vs — clean stall | 28 mph |
| Vs — flap stall | 26 mph |
| Vr — rotation | 30 mph |
| Max crosswind component | 15 mph |
| Max wind speed | 25 mph |
Maximum bank angle is 45° and maximum pitch angle is 30°. Spins and aerobatic flight are prohibited.
Part 103 eligibility depends on the completed aircraft. Certain engine configurations and options can push empty weight above Part 103 limits, so package decisions should be made with the final configuration in mind.
These are our current Aerolite prices. Prices and specifications remain subject to change, so please confirm your final configuration and shipping with us before purchase.
Our gasoline engine packages are complete installation packages: engine, carburetor(s), engine mount, pre-welded exhaust and mount, mounting hardware, the appropriate gearbox or reduction drive, throttle and choke cables, electric starter and a lightweight lithium battery. The MZ-201 and MZ-202 Aerolite packages include a centrifugal clutch in the gearbox.
| Kit / engine package | Price |
|---|---|
| Complete Aerolite 103 Quick-Build Airframe Kit | $19,450 |
| Hirth F33 — 28 HP | $7,404 |
| Kawasaki 440 — 40 HP | $7,950 |
| MZ 201 — 45 HP | $14,819 |
| MZ 202 — 63 HP | $16,085 |
| Hirth F23 — 50 HP | $16,623 |
| Contracted assembly through a dealer | $4,000 |
| Options | Price |
|---|---|
| 15" tundra wheel / brake / gear package | $565 |
| 6" wheel pants — set of 3 | $595 |
| Tundra wheel pants — set of 3 | $640 |
| Streamline strut fairings — set of 4 | $460 |
| Streamline gear-leg fairings — set of 2 | $45 |
| Analog instrument package | $1,165 |
| EIS digital instrument package | $762 |
| More options | Price |
|---|---|
| Magnum 660 Softpack parachute | $5,225 |
| 7 or 10 gallon tank upgrade | $395 |
| Culver 2-blade prop | $760 |
| Warp Drive 3-blade adjustable pitch prop | $1,289 |
| IVO 3-blade adjustable pitch prop | $1,100 |
| TF-103 self-contained LED strobe | $119 |
| Wide seat option | $345 |
You can choose your sail colors and combine colors across the available sail panels. Our current color list includes black, white, fluorescent yellow, fluorescent green, fluorescent pink, fluorescent red, fluorescent orange, medium blue, brown, cream, dark blue, red, purple and violet.
Our sail-layout pricing is Layout 1 with no upcharge, Layout 2 at +$250, and Layouts 3 through 6 at +$400.
The EV-103 adapts the Aerolite airframe for electric propulsion with factory changes to accommodate the battery tray. We offer it as a fast-build kit or as an assembled aircraft, and current-production Aerolites can also be converted.
The system is offered with 2, 3 or 4 rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs. Our flight-test guidance is roughly 10 minutes of conservative flight time per battery, with two batteries required for flight. Four packs can provide about 40 minutes when flown conservatively.
The complete propulsion system is rated at about 20 kW continuous and up to 25 kW peak. The motor itself is rated at about 15 kW maximum continuous and greater than 25 kW peak, while the controller is rated at about 25 kW continuous and 30 kW peak.
Terry Raber designed the Aerolite 103 in 1996 after years of building and selling ultralights and studying the strongest features of existing designs. He also designed our Streamline Strut Fairings and stainless exhaust brackets in 1993.
The first prototype flew on October 6, 1996. The production design debuted at Oshkosh in 1997 and received Grand Champion Ultralight recognition.
Raber continued production through 2012, with the model earning a long-standing reputation among experienced and newer light-aircraft pilots.
In 2012, Raber contacted our owner, Dennis Carley, about carrying the design forward. We relocated production to our operation in DeLand, Florida. Carley had built more than 100 ultralight and experimental aircraft and served as a DAR who issued hundreds of airworthiness certificates.
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