UFM Easy Riser

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title: "UFM Easy Riser" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1970s-united-states-ultralight-aircraft", "biplanes", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1975", "tailless-aircraft", "single-engined-pusher-aircraft"] description: "American ultralight aircraft and glider" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFM_Easy_Riser" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American ultralight aircraft and glider ::

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

Field	Value
name	UFM Easy Riser
image	UFM Easy Riser.jpg
aircraft_type	Hang glider & Ultralight aircraft
national_origin	United States
manufacturer	Ultralight Flying Machines
designer	Larry Mauro & John Moody
status	In limited production (hang glider version, 2002)
first_flight	1975 (powered ultralight)
variants	Mauro Solar Riser
Pterodactyl Light Flyer
::

| name = UFM Easy Riser | logo = | logo_size = | image = UFM Easy Riser.jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Hang glider & Ultralight aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Ultralight Flying Machines | design_group = | designer = Larry Mauro & John Moody | builder = | issuer = | status = In limited production (hang glider version, 2002) | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = 1975 (powered ultralight) | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = Mauro Solar Riser Pterodactyl Light Flyer | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = The UFM Easy Riser is an American swept wing biplane hang glider that was first powered in 1975, becoming the first modern ultralight aircraft. The Easy Riser was still in production as an unpowered glider in 2002 by Ultralight Flying Machines.

Design and development

The Easy Riser was developed by Larry Mauro from the earlier Kiceniuk Icarus II biplane hang glider. An engine was installed by John Moody in 1975 so the glider could be launched from flat terrain.

Early powered versions consisted simply of a motor added to the foot-launched hang glider version with control by a combination of weight shift for pitch and tip rudders for roll and yaw, with the tip rudders used together as air brakes. Because many pilots could not run fast enough to achieve take-off, wheeled tricycle gear was added. The aircraft exhibited poor pitch stability, so a horizontal stabilizer and elevator were added. Finally, on later versions, the tip rudders were replaced with a tail-mounted rudder.

The Easy Riser is constructed with an aluminium structure and stamped ribs, covered in doped aircraft fabric covering, Mylar or other coverings. The pilot sits on a fabric sling seat. Engines used include the 11 hp McCulloch MAC-101, 15 hp Hirth F-36 and Solo 210.

Easy Risers were produced in large numbers until the ultralight market downturn of the early 1980s when the type was taken out of production. Later, the unpowered glider version was put back into limited production.

In 1979, Larry Mauro installed solar cells and an electric motor on a stock Easy Riser and the resulting Mauro Solar Riser become the first solar powered aircraft to carry a person aloft.

Aircraft on Display

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/UFM_Easy_Riser_(9-16-2023).jpg" caption="canard]]."] ::

• Canadian Air & Space Museum - Easy Riser used by Bill Lishman in projects to teach birds to migrate
• EAA AirVenture Museum - two Easy Risers and the Solar Riser.
• Iowa Aviation Museum - one 1975 Easy Rider ultralight
• US Southwest Soaring Museum - Easy Riser

Specifications (Easy Riser ultralight)

|ref=EAA |prime units?=imp General characteristics

|genhide=

|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=9 |length in=0 |length note= |span m= |span ft=30 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft=4 |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=170 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=120 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=320 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general= Powerplant

|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=McCulloch MAC-101 |eng1 type=two-stroke, single cylinder engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=11

|prop blade number=2 |prop name=wooden |prop dia m= |prop dia ft=4 |prop dia in=6 |prop note=

Performance

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=40 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=25 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=20 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles=100 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=9000 |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=300 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft=1.88 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics=

Notable appearances in media

Main article: Aircraft in fiction#UFM Easy Riser

References

References

1. Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page E-14. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN. 0-9680628-1-4
2. [[Experimental Aircraft Association]]. (2011). "UFM EASY RISER".
3. [[Experimental Aircraft Association]]. (2011). "UFM-APP EASY RISER".
4. Moody, John. (2002). "CURRENT EASYRISER INFO".
5. Rogers, Bennett: ''1974 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine'', page 99. Soaring Society of America, August 1974. USPS 499-920
6. [[Experimental Aircraft Association]]. (2011). "UFM/MAURO SOLAR RISER".
7. AIAA/SAE/ASME 20th Joint Propulsion Conference. (1984). "AIAA paper 84-1429".
8. [[Canadian Air & Space Museum]]. (2011). "Easy Riser Ultralight".
9. "Vintage Aircraft".
10. [[US Southwest Soaring Museum]]. (2010). "Sailplanes, Hang Gliders & Motor Gliders".
11. [[Experimental Aircraft Association]]. (2011). "UFM EASY RISER Specifications".

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