Part 103 Aircraft For Sale - You are correct about the weighing of the Merlin Lite featured in the article. However, whatever resources you found saying Merlin PSA is 715 "unloaded" (empty, I presume) are wrong...even Google. Here are the specifications directly from the developer (then scroll down).
You are certainly free to contest their statements but it is highly improbable that Merlin PSA weighs empty as much as most two-seat, larger-engined Light-Sport Aircraft. For parts CLICK HERE Finally, I feel sure the developer disagrees that "there is a lot of low hanging fruit for weight reduction."
Part 103 Aircraft For Sale
To the contrary, lightening an aircraft is usually a matter of ounces and grams. It is devilishly hard to reduce weight after a certain point without also sacrificing airworthiness. Add it all up and you get a ready-to-fly price of $38,000 in the USA.
Is Merlin Lite Affordable For You?
Paint it and load it with options and the price may be about $42,000. Or choose a kit and save $31,500 base price or $36,000 with BRS parachute. Merlin Lite is available completed and ready to fly away, or can also be built as an Experimental and flown with a Sport Pilot ticket, or even a glider certificate, flying Merlin Lite as a motorglider.
Although Kolb aircraft are easy to fly and have gentle flight characteristics, they are also high performance aircraft. We recommend training or some transition training before attempting flight in our aircraft. HIGH PERFORMANCE The performance of the FireFly is absolutely awesome.
You need to see a FireFly in the air to truly appreciate what it is can do. Seeing how 40 horsepower pushes this 254 pounds aircraft is eye-opening. "We are offering an introductory price of $35,500 for a ready-to-fly Merlin Lite that includes a BRS-500 emergency airframe parachute system.
The order book is now open and current waiting time (depending on configuration and options) is five months. Greetings to all Where can I get one?? I have a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette. It's all original with less than 60k miles..I would be interested in a trade, with someone who has a Merlin Lite.
If anyone is interested in my offer to trade, please contact me via email at. rhhale153@gmail.com Thank you I didn't get your final comment (also, what is "AF"?) but I can tell you that 27 knots stall may be slow, but is not quite slow enough.
Part 103 calls our 24 knots but that can be with any devices deployed and Merlin Lite does have deep, Fowler flaps, so perhaps hitting 24 knots is not such a big challenge. Once again, here is the criteria FAA gave to field officers to determine if a vehicle complies with Part 103.
I clearly said that the Merlin Lite is 274 pounds including emergency parachute and does not require a license. The first Merlin (PSA) is 715 pounds unloaded according to several online sources including Google. Because it is overweight for Part 103 [Merlin PSA] requires a minimum of a Sport Pilot certificate.
Roy: You may be right, but then I suspect Sebastian is using Merlin not Merlin Lite info as I found no speed or weight info presented on the Aeromarine LSA website. Merlin is too fast for Part 103 at 120 mph.
However, Merlin Lite with a less powerful engine and the right prop could stay within Part 103 limits and Chip Erwin definitely knows what the parameters are, stating them on The Merlin Lite page. In addition to the enclosed cockpit with a proper door, air vents, and multiple windows, other "magic" features included in this true Part 103 ultralight are electric trim, an EFIS with artificial horizon and GPS, a dual-ignition, liquid-cooled
, and electric-start engine with an EMS. The 12VDC system also includes a USB charger outlet for a phone or iPad. Options include cabin heat and defroster, Temperfoam seats, and long range fuel tanks (when building an Experimental Amateur Built version).
It's funny that you are saying that because there must be a great deal of misinformation on the PSA's total empty weight. Perhaps you'll have to hash it out with them (including Google) for the fact checking.
Although as I've said before the Merlin Lite is in every way 103 compliant. 
To find truly affordable aircraft, for one example, search for "vintage ultralights" you will be lead to our April 2020 series on ten super-affordable airplanes, all
of which are available second hand for less than $10,000. You may not know that Search can be more specific. After you use Search, a page shows you whatever is found but you can drill down further — click "Try our advanced search option."
FAA has very specifically and repeatedly said that other safety systems - such a more robust pilot safety harnesses or brakes or fire extinguishers or strobe lights - will not be considered for allowed additional weight, as are parachutes and floats.
Here is FAA official guidance to FAA field officers in implementing the 38-year-old regulation (which has never been changed). The Merlin Lite can be flown as a Part 103 ultralight with virtually no regulations but will require a BRS rescue system to increase the allowable weight.
The Merlin Lite may also be registered in the Experimental class which does not have the weight and speed restrictions of Part 103. "Its cantilevered high wing means no lift strut," explained Chip, "making Merlin Lite quite easy to get in and out, a feature with increasing importance.
Plus, the large baggage area can carry a full-size airline roll-on bag, camping gear, or even your favorite pet.” "This is not your 1980s ultralight," claimed designer Chip. "I know, I was there. Our new Merlin Lite has real aircraft features and appeal: seven windows, a cockpit door, decent baggage capacity and space, an instrument panel with an EFIS and GPS.
And the list goes on.” 
However, such “alternative aircraft"
may not be what you had in mind. Many are open cockpit and pilots trained in a Cessna or Piper can feel uneasy being out in the open (even if behind a pod and windscreen). Also, weight shift trikes, powered parachutes, or gyroplanes handle differently from stick (or yoke) and rudder.
Other pilots may want an aircraft that can cope with the elements better. Metal can offer better endurance. Aeromarine LSA boss Chip Erwin is offering a full enclosure on his newest and Merlin Lite can make Part 103 numbers, if you use an emergency airframe parachute and make other appropriate equipment choices.
Of course. I was incorrect for maximum speed. I said 74 (that I believed was the limit), however, the maximum airspeed is 55 knots. [Merlin Lite is currently] is a bit faster than 55? but Chip [Erwin, developer] explained that it can be made significantly slower with minimal adjustment of the ground adjustable prop.
It does have a minimum stall speed of 27 knots though. That's slow AF. So, when he sells you the plane, it is legal... However, like one of those neat little Glock chips that have an easily grindable stud on the back which prevents it from sliding into the gun, it would be up to the buyer unbeknownst to
the seller to take that illegal action. I see a couple of errors in your comment, Tim. First Merlin PSA is not 700 pounds empty, which is the essential criteria for a Part 103 ultralight. When Merlin Lite weighs in at less than 278 pounds, that is empty weight, without fuel or payload.
The comparable empty weight of Merlin PSA is 415 pounds, not 700. The Merlin Lite 103 is the BEST kit in 103 and microlite I have had the pleasure to feast my eyes on! I have been flying since 1968. Aluminum construction and two week build time... phenomenal!!!
Merlin Lite comes in at around 274 pounds. You MUST install ballistic chute to comply with Part 103 weight limits. This gives you allowance to allow for extra weight of metal construction. Awesome! Nope, I won't be hashing anything out with Google.
They are wrong if they say the empty weight of Merlin PSA is 715 pounds. I'll wager I know a lot more about this subject than any of their fact checkers. In truth I was curious about that myself.
I assumed that they weighed a PSA with several upgrades including motor, landing gear, perhaps with shocks, additional fuel capacity, etc. Although I was wondering how that would balance out across the aircraft. Although if Chip was behind it, one could only assume there was some sort of secret Merlin magic in play, however unorthodox it may sound.
I bet if it was 715 that thing would MOVE. All reviews are stellar for both aircraft. Who knows maybe he will in the future. He made a flying Harley Davidson, now a part 103 flying scooter, maybe the flying Hyabusa is the next move.
You now have the option to order your legal ultralight FireFly with conventional tri-gear configuration... Also, while I remain very enthusiastic about Merlin Lite, initial test flights showed it was a bit too fast. The developer can do something about that without too much effort, but that means it is not "in every way 103 compliant" as of the last report I heard.
The weight of the parachute is limited to an additional 24 pounds granted because FAA estimated that was the most such a system should weigh for a Part 103 ultralight. Usually such systems are less than 24 pounds but FAA does not go by actual weight, (which can vary on every single installation, due to different mount hardware and airframe bridle attach hardware. Therefore, a builder can add the 24 pounds to his aircraft's allowed
empty weight, so if a parachute system comes in at 18 pounds, for example, 6 pounds become "available." This methodology has not changed, nor been challenged, over 38 years of Part 103. The company that manufactured the Kit has a 2-seat;
at least one was built and flew at their local airport flight school. However, it suffered damage to landing gear from student use. Not sure they plan to import in the near term. (This info was not independently verified —Ed.)
My apologies though, I would never propagate false information. Besides, the physical weight of the PSA, whether 715 pounds or 450, or whatever, it still requires a Sport Pilot certificate. Thank you and good day to all.
Happy flying! Optional brakes provide for sure stops and the optional Individual heel pedals allow a tighter turning radius. The flaperons and optional brakes allow the FireFly to be landed, stopped and maneuvered in very tight areas.
The new longer wing brings the Merlin Lite stall speed below 24 knots which is the limit for the FAA Part 103 rule. Have a look at the 3-hinge Fowler flap. This flap is slotted and deflects to 50 degrees which really slows down the aircraft yet when fully retracted is very clean.
Combined with the cantilevered wing our Merlin lite with this high aspect ratio wing will have a L/D ratio suitable for motor-gliding or efficient flight under electric power. Wing span increases to 32 feet. The Merlin Lite 103 is 274 pounds without fuel or fluids.
The FAA allows the extra weight of the emergency BRS system and is still in compliance with part 103. The Merlin PSA however is just over 700 pounds and requires a Sport Pilot certificate. The Merlin Lite was built to be virtually a mirror copy of the popular PSA but with the weight reduction by nearly 450+ pounds and a reduced 2-stroke Polini powerplant.
Technically, it can exceed the FAA maximum speed (with modification) but with the prop dialed in correctly on the ground, you can have all the lift [climb power?] you want but will top out at the maximum Part 103 airspeed (which I
believe is not to exceed 74 knots). 
Merlin Lite finished and ready-to-fly — $31,000 equipped with electric-starting Polini 250DS two
-stroke engine, carbon propeller, tundra tires, airspeed indicator, electric trim, hydraulic brakes, 12-volt power supply, engine instruments, fuel gauge, air vents, EarthX lightweight battery, and 4.15-gallon wing tank that "still gives 3.5 hours endurance," said Chip.
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