CGS Hawk

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Family of ultralight aircraft

title: "CGS Hawk" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cgs-aviation-aircraft", "1980s-united-states-ultralight-aircraft", "light-sport-aircraft", "single-engined-pusher-aircraft", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1982", "high-wing-aircraft", "aircraft-with-fixed-conventional-landing-gear"] description: "Family of ultralight aircraft" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CGS_Hawk" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Family of ultralight aircraft ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]

FieldValue
nameCGS Hawk
imageCGS Hawk Classic 02.JPG
captionHawk Ultra
aircraft_typeLight-sport aircraft, Homebuilt aircraft, ultralight aircraft
national_originUnited States
manufacturerCGS Aviation
designerChuck Slusarczyk
statusIn production
number_built1712
introductionMarch 1982
first_flightJanuary 1982
::

| name = CGS Hawk | logo = | logo_size = | image = CGS Hawk Classic 02.JPG | alt = | caption = Hawk Ultra | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Light-sport aircraft, Homebuilt aircraft, ultralight aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = CGS Aviation | design_group = | designer = Chuck Slusarczyk | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 1712 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = March 1982 | retired = | first_flight = January 1982 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/CGS_Hawk_-_prototype.JPG" caption="The first Hawk prototype at [[Sun 'n Fun]] 2006"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/CGS_Hawk_Sport.JPG" caption="Hawk Sport"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/CGS_Hawk_II_A523LAB.JPG" caption="dope and fabric covering"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/CGS_Hawk_II_Arrow_11RMS.JPG" caption="Hawk Arrow II"] ::

The CGS Hawk is a family of high wing, strut-braced, pusher configuration, single and two-seats-in-tandem ultralight aircraft, designed by Chuck Slusarczyk and manufactured by CGS Aviation.

Development

Designer Chuck Slusarczyk established himself as a hang glider designer in the early 1970s, including producing engine power units for hang gliders. In October 1979, his company, Chuck's Glider Supplies was renamed CGS Aviation. In 1980 Slusarczyk surveyed pilots at Sun 'n Fun and AirVenture to find out what they wanted in a new ultralight aircraft design. The survey revealed pilots were looking for:

  • an enclosed cockpit with removable doors
  • three axis controls
  • flaps and not flaperons
  • struts in place of cable-bracing
  • the choice of tricycle gear, with a steerable nose wheel or conventional landing gear, with a steerable tail wheel
  • pusher configuration When the resulting Hawk first flew in January 1982 it was the first ultralight aircraft with an enclosed cockpit and to use strut bracing. The aircraft was intended to meet the requirements of the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, including that category's maximum 254 lb empty weight.

The Hawk wing is strut-braced, constructed from aluminum tubing and covered with either pre-sewn Dacron envelopes or doped aircraft fabric. The flat-bottomed wing also features flaps. The fuselage is of similar construction and uses a curved boom tube for its main structural member. The curved tube allows the tail to be located higher, out of the wing's downwash, especially when the flaps are extended. Landing gear for all models is optionally tricycle or conventional.

The Hawks are available as aircraft kits, quick-build kits, or completed aircraft.

Operational history

The Hawk was introduced to the public at Sun N Fun in March 1982 in Lakeland, Florida. The prototype won Best New Design for 1982.

At the EAA Convention held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that same year the Hawk was named Outstanding New Design and also Reserve Grand Champion.

At Oshkosh 1983, the Hawk won the Dupont Kevlar Air Recreational Vehicle Design Competition against more than 126 other designs.

Variants

Single seaters

;Hawk Classic :Single seat, original design, introduced in 1982 and still in production. 990 flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 310 lb with a 600 lb gross weight.. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447, 52 hp Rotax 503, 65 hp Rotax 582, 40 hp Hirth 2702, 55 hp Hirth 3202, 65 hp Hirth 3203 and the four-stroke 60 hp HKS 700E.

;Hawk Arrow :Single seat, with a less sloped windshield, longer nose, larger tail surfaces, flatter floor and reinforced tail boom. 135 flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 330 lb with a 625 lb gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447, 52 hp Rotax 503, 65 hp Rotax 582, 40 hp Hirth 2702, 55 hp Hirth 3202, 65 hp Hirth 3203 and the four-stroke 60 hp HKS 700E.

;Hawk Plus :Single seat, based on the Arrow two-seater, with only the front seat fitted, intended as a freight carrier. 65 flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 350 lb with an 800 lb gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447, 52 hp Rotax 503, 65 hp Rotax 582, 40 hp Hirth 2702, 55 hp Hirth 3202, 65 hp Hirth 3203 and the four-stroke 60 hp HKS 700E.

;Hawk Sport :Single seat, developed to compete in the 1999 European World Air Games. Eight were flying by 2011. It has competition features, including streamlined struts and landing gear legs, no jury struts, a semi-symmetrical airfoil and 3 in extra headroom. Standard empty weight 310 lb with a 625 lb gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447, 52 hp Rotax 503, 65 hp Rotax 582 or the 40 hp Hirth 2702.

;Hawk Ultra :Single seat, based on the Classic. The Classic weighed under 254 lb when introduced, but became heavier as amenities were added and thus no longer qualified for FAR 103. The Ultra model is a lightened version to comply with the FAR 103 rules. Eight flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 254 lb with a 600 lb gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke 40 hp Rotax 447 or the 35 hp Kawasaki 440.

;AG-Hawk :No longer in production. 30 reported flying in 1998. Single seat, based on the Arrow and equipped as an agricultural aircraft for spraying. Standard empty weight 275 lb with an 800 lb gross weight. Specified engine was the two-stroke 65 hp Rotax 582.

Two seaters

;Hawk Classic II :Introduced in 1985 and no longer in production. 290 reported flying in 1998. Two seats in tandem, based on the Classic. Standard empty weight 340 lb with an 800 lb gross weight. Engines available included the two-stroke, 52 hp Rotax 503, 65 hp Rotax 582, 55 hp Hirth 2703 and the 65 hp Hirth 2706.

;Hawk Arrow II :Two seats in tandem, with the rear seat raised for visibility. Based on the Classic, but with a less sloped windshield, longer nose, larger tail surfaces, flatter floor and reinforced tail boom. Available as a fully assembled US Special Light Sport Aircraft. It incorporates the semi-symmetrical airfoil and streamlined extruded aluminum wing struts from the Hawk Sport. 186 flying in 2011. Standard empty weight 420 lb with a 950 lb gross weight. Engines available include the two-stroke, 52 hp Rotax 503, 65 hp Rotax 582, 55 hp Hirth 3202, 65 hp Hirth 3203, 80 hp Hirth F30, 100 hp Hirth 3701 and the four-stroke 60 hp HKS 700E.

Specifications (Classic)

|ref=CGS & Kitplanes |prime units?=imp General characteristics

|genhide= |crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=20 |length in=7 |length note= |span m= |span ft=28 |span in=10 |span note= |height m= |height ft=4 |height in=6 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=135 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=310 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=600 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity=5 US gallons (19 litres) |more general= Powerplant

|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Rotax 447 |eng1 type=two-stroke twin-cylinder aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=40 |eng1 note= |power original= |prop blade number= |prop name= |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=

Performance

|perfhide= |max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=75 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=35 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=100 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed mph= |minimum control speed kts= |minimum control speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi=150 |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=12500 |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=800 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics=

References

References

  1. Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter – Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 132-133. BAI Communications. {{ISBN. 0-9636409-4-1
  2. Downey, Julia: ''2008 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 45-46. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. Kitplanes Staff: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 42-43. Primedia Publications. IPM 0462012
  4. Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-28 & B-82 Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN. 0-9680628-1-4
  5. CGS Aviation. (n.d.). "CGS Hawk History".
  6. Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 45. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  7. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12'', page 34. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  8. CGS Aviation. (n.d.). "CGS Hawk Classic Single Seat".
  9. [https://s28490.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Kitplanes_2010_12.pdf "Flight Review: CGS Hawk Arrow,"] December 2010, ''Kitplanes,'' retrieved September 23, 2022
  10. CGS Aviation. (n.d.). "CGS Hawk Arrow Single Seat".
  11. CGS Aviation. (n.d.). "CGS Hawk Plus Single Seat".
  12. CGS Aviation. (n.d.). "CGS Hawk "Sport" Single Seat".
  13. CGS Aviation. (n.d.). "CGS Hawk 'Classic Ultra'".
  14. CGS Aviation. (n.d.). "CGS Hawk Arrow Two Seat".
  15. CGS Aviation. (n.d.). "Hawk SLSA & ELSA".
  16. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015–16'', page 38. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN. 1368-485X

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cgs-aviation-aircraft1980s-united-states-ultralight-aircraftlight-sport-aircraftsingle-engined-pusher-aircraftaircraft-first-flown-in-1982high-wing-aircraftaircraft-with-fixed-conventional-landing-gear