RLU-1 Breezy

RLU-1 Breezy
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer RLU
Designer Charles Roloff, Carl Unger, and Bob Liposky
First flight August 7, 1964
Number built About 1000[1]

The RLU-1 Breezy is a homebuilt aircraft known for its "no cockpit" high wing pusher configuration. It is designed to seat the pilot and passenger with a maximum unobstructed view.[2][3]

Design and development

Designed and built by Charles Roloff, Robert Liposky and Carl Unger, the original Breezy used a modified set of Piper PA-12 wings. Wings from the Piper PA-14, Piper PA-18, Piper J-3, Piper J-4, Piper J-5, or Cessna 172[4] can also be used on the design.[2] It first flew on August 7, 1964.[5]

Operational history

RLU-1 Breezy
Amphibious Breezy

Designer and pilot Carl Unger flew thousands of passengers for free in his Breezy prototype. The aircraft is now part of the EAA AirVenture Museum collection.[6]

At the 2014 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh there was a series of special events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the design, including a fly-in of Breezys.[1]

Variants

Dawes Breezy
Variant with amphibious floats[7]

Specifications (Breezy)

Data from Sport Aviation

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 3
  • Length: 22 ft 6 in (6.86 m)
  • Wingspan: 33 ft (10 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
  • Wing area: 165 sq ft (15.3 m2)
  • Fuel capacity: 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-90 , 90 hp (67 kW)
  • Range: 120 nmi (140 mi, 230 km)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ a b Grady, Mary (April 30, 2014). "Breezy Pilots To Converge At Oshkosh". AVweb. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Taylor, John W. R.. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83. Jane's Publishing Company. London. 1983. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2
  3. ^ "Breezy from Aircraft Spruce". Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  4. ^ Air Trails: 16. Winter 1971. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ Eyre, David C. (May 8, 2019). "Roloff Breezy Model RLU-1". Aeropedia. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Dick Cavenaugh. Just about – But Not Quite.
  7. ^ Airventure Today. July 27, 2014. p. 12. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • Taylor, John W. R.. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83. Jane's Publishing Company. London. 1983. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2
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