Designed for First-Time Homebuilders - The Hummel UltraCruiser
By Willie Bodenstein
30.05.2026
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The Hummel UltraCruiser is a Part 103 legal all-metal ultralight aircraft designed specifically with first-time builders and first-time pilots in mind.
Designed by Morry Hummel in 1998, the UltraCruiser was intended to be simple to build, economical to operate and easy to fly. The aircraft first took to the air in 2000, with plans going on sale the following year.
The design can be built entirely from plans, ordered as a complete kit, or assembled using a combination of both. The kit was carefully developed to simplify construction for inexperienced builders and includes pre-drilled laser-cut components, with parts already pre-bent or welded where required. Wheels, tyres, brakes, harnesses and even the seat cushion are supplied. Builders only need to source the engine, propeller, spinner and instruments to complete the aircraft.
The single-seat UltraCruiser features detachable wings for easy storage and transport. Owners describe the little aircraft as docile, forgiving and remarkably comfortable for reasonably long cross-country flights. Despite its small size, the UltraCruiser offers impressive performance and reliability when powered by the 37 hp four-stroke 1½ VW-based Hummel Engine.
A tricycle undercarriage version and canopy options are also available. However, fitting these extras increases the aircraft's weight beyond the limits required to qualify under the American Part 103 ultralight regulations.
Performance figures are impressive for such a small aircraft. The UltraCruiser has a wingspan of 25 feet (7.62 m), a Vne of 95 mph (152 km/h), a cruise speed of 85 mph (137 km/h) and stalls at only 23 mph (37 km/h). Take-off distance is approximately 150 feet (46 m), while landing requires around 300 feet (92 m).
The aircraft carries 8 US gallons (30 litres) of Mogas fuel and burns only about 2 US gallons per hour (7.6 lph), giving it a range of roughly 270 miles (432 km) with a 20% reserve still remaining.
The little Hummel is pretty, aerodynamically clean, inexpensive to build and economical to maintain. More importantly, it proves that a simple ultralight can still be a capable and enjoyable travelling aircraft - and far more than merely a “round-the-patch” machine
