Hinz BLT-ARA

The Hinz BLT-ARA is a German homebuilt aircraft that was designed and produced by L and B Hinz of Filderstadt. When it was available the aircraft was supplied as in the form of plans and a 300-page builder's manual for amateur construction.

Design and development
The BLT-ARA is a development of the earlier Hinz BL1-KEA which was first flown in 1989.

The BLT-ARA features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, T-tail, retractable conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.

The aircraft is made from fibreglass, using a moldless construction technique. Its 10.1 m span wing has a wing area of 12.0 m2. The wings and tailplane are detachable, similar to a glider's to allow ground transport or storage in a trailer. The cabin width is 101 cm. The acceptable power range is 90 to 110 hp and the standard engine used is the 95 hp Limbach L2400 powerplant.

The BLT-ARA has a typical empty weight of 454 kg and a gross weight of 726 kg, giving a useful load of 272 kg. With full fuel of 100 L the payload for the pilot, passenger and baggage is 201 kg.

The manufacturer estimated the construction time from the supplied plans as 3000 hours.

Operational history
By 1998 the company reported that 13 sets of plans had been sold.