Being a tail dragger aficionado since my Citabria ownership days probably gave me a leg up on taking to Belite Aircraft‘s Chipper when I first saw it at Sun N Fun in April. Belite’s president, James Wiebe, made it clear from the start of our conversation in Lakeland that the Chipper was a work in progress and indeed had been shipped to Lakeland aboard a truck. Wiebe said he was creating the experimental Chipper two-place tail dragger as a kit powered by either an 80 or a 100 hp Rotax engine. The Chipper would be a fun airplane to build and fly, especially if short-field characteristics were important to a pilot.
Belite’s Chipper Aircraft Continues Evolving
Key Takeaways:
- The Belite Chipper is a two-place experimental tail dragger kit plane, notable for its rapid CAD-based design, unique material use (composites, honeycomb), and CNC manufacturing.
- It demonstrates impressive short-field performance, with reported takeoff rolls under 300 feet and landing distances between 300-400 feet.
- Designer James Wiebe, from an IT background, emphasizes continuous improvement, making the Chipper an evolving platform with ongoing upgrades and options like a proposed folding wing.
- The kit costs $8,995 (excluding engine, prop, instruments), with a projected finished price of around $32,000, presenting an accessible option for homebuilders.
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