Arplast Micro'B

The Arplast Micro'B (Microbe) is a French ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by propeller manufacturer Arplast Helice. It was supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.

Design and development
The Arplast Micro'B was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules, with a lightened version for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.

The Micro'B is made from a combination of welded steel and carbon fibre, with the flying surfaces made from the latter material. Its 8.6 m span wing is supported by a single strut per side and features automatic flaps. Standard engines included the 40 hp Rotax 447 two-stroke or other small lightweight motors, mounted on the main keel tube above the cockpit.

Variants

 * Micro'B
 * Initial version, which was used to win the World Microlight Championships.


 * Micro'B ML
 * Improved version, with carbon fibre construction for the FAI Microlight class. Standard engine supplied was the 40 hp Rotax 447 two-stroke aircraft engine. Empty weight of 125 kg.


 * Micro'B 103
 * Lightened version for the US ultralight category, equipped with a 25 hp Briggs & Stratton V-twin engine. Empty weight of 110 kg.