The Micro Aviation B22 Bantam is a New Zealand ultralight aircraft, designed and produced by Micro Aviation NZ of Hamilton, New Zealand and later of Mandeville, New Zealand. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 65. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485XTacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 68. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
Design and development The aircraft complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules as well as the United Kingdom BCAR Section "S" regulations. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.
The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its flying surfaces covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its span wing has an area of and is supported by V-struts and jury struts. The engine is mounted above the cockpit on the forward end of the main keel tube. Standard engines available are the Rotax 582 two-stroke and the Jabiru 2200 four-stroke powerplant.
Operational history Two Bantams are in use by park rangers in Kruger National Park in South Africa."AVIATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF INSURANCES", Page 6, www.sanparks.org"KNP rangers will fly to stop the slaughter" Total production has exceeded 300 aircraft.
The World Directory of Leisure Aviation reviewed the Bantam and described it as "a simple practical aircraft characterized by its agility, vice-free handling and ease of maintenance."
Variants B22J Higher powered version B22S Standard model
Specifications (B22J Bantam)
References
External links