TBIRD AIRCRAFT BACK IN PRODUCTION

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBBIE CULVER AIRVENTURE TODAY STAFF

AVIATORS LOOKING FOR budget-friendly flying head to the Ultralights area each year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. On display this year at Booth 952 just west of the Ultralight Barn is Tbird Aircraft. Owner Matt Shubat purchased the company about two years ago and spent a year getting the aircraft back into production. The kit has been around since 1981 as an FAA Part 103 legal ultralight. Matt describes the aircraft as “budget-friendly flying.”

The company is based at Berlin Field LLC Airport (31WN) in Berlin, Wisconsin.

This year, they are displaying single-place, two-place, and TU models. The TU is a three-axis control aircraft that was originally weight-shift, and now features spoilerons. Matt wants aviators to know the kit is back in production and parts are available.

Since the kit first came out in 1981, there have been over 3,000 sold, with about 1,500 flying. As part of the rerelease of the kit, upgrades have been made. The kit is essentially the same, but most nonstructural plastic parts are 3D-printed in-house, including the iPad mount on display.

If you are looking for some fun flying, head on down to the Ultralights area and stop by Tbird! You can also visit TbirdAircraft.com.

OSHKOSH MOMENTS