MY CAPELLA JAVELIN UL - FOR SALE I have not seen too many of these Capella's around, but I liked the design when comparing to the Team Air-bike or Kolb. In that, it has the simple tail boom (like a Kolb) and otherwise similar chrome moly airframe as that of the Team Air-bike. I also like that the Capella has all metal (alum) wing ribs, unlike the Air-bike. I never really cared for the landing gear on the Capella, looked a bit flimsy, but a previous owner/builder had installed custom gear assembly (chrome moly) which I thought was much better. It has poly-fiber fabric wing covering (on rudder and elevator as well) and not "sail material". The fabric condition pretty good imo, a couple patches here and there but otherwise decent and not too old from what I had been told, remains still pliable). So, when this one popped up on the market I could not resist. I purchased this unique aircraft in 2016, as a bit of a basket case. I basically put the wings on, completed some already started mod's for the rudder pedals, rewired the engine, rebuilt the carbs, installed a better seat (as shown), built a custom windshield, replaced the "welded" tail wheel spring plate with custom made (clamped/bolted) assembly, and installed turn buckles for the ailerons. The airframe is in decent shape although it shows a few fixes and/or reinforcements made here and there. I had installed a couple chrome moly gussets as well to beef it up for flying it out of my back yard and away I went.

After several flights, I experienced some ongoing issues with the Yamaha engine that came with the plane. I had done a couple top-end overhauls and installed new pistons (twice). I have made the conclusion that all those issues where caused by a bent connecting rod for the front piston. Instead of doing any more work on the Yamaha, I decided to park the plane and begin an upgrade to a Rotax 503 engine. This would also eliminate the belt drive, used with the Yamaha engine, and allow me to use a geared re-drive with the Rotax engine … no more belts to tension. Also, since I changed from the belt drive to the gear drive, I realized that the prop rotates in opposite direction now (oooops). So, there is a NEW LH prop from Warp Drive included. Thanks to Darrell at Warp Drive, for another great prop assembly!!

So, at the end of 2017 I made one more flight from my hanger to my barn, and had started the engine upgrade. After pulling the old Yamaha off and old engine mounts, I fabricated new mounts from TIG welded chrome moly tubing, and engine support assemblies from 6061-T6 alum channels, bar, tubing … of course all AN hardware used for everything. The custom design I used for the engine mounting was inspired by a few other like-kind aircraft, but some elements also came from common gyroplane engine mountings when using inverted 503 engines. A thanks goes out to a couple of my gyroclub buddies for letting me grab some measurements off their toys!! Here are some photos of the engine mounting, and where I left off:

300HR-TT, 0-TSMO, Rotax 503 DCDI Engine (from "Rotax Rick") New Custom Mounts, New 2.58 B-Box, New Fuel Pump

New 2-Blade Warp Drive 66" prop (not shown … but still in the box).

NOTE: I had purchased a side-mount exhaust for the 503 off Barnstormers, and decided not to use it (it is not included). That exhaust had placed a bit too much weight forward, and so I felt it would be best to go with the 90° exhaust to help keep the CG where it was before (without having to add tail weights). I weighed about 225# when flying it last time, and there was only a very slight climb tendency at cruise speed (which did not bother me). The new engine and mounts may in fact null that out (assuming another 225# or so pilot), but the final exhaust placement can make big difference. The exhaust I was planning on can be purchased at Leading Edge, CPS, or other Rotax parts suppliers, and is #973-275 (with hooks). I will include the exhaust elbow, but the hooks may need to be relocated for the new exhaust. Exhaust hooks are #853-335. There is basically no other major parts or components needed for this Capella, it is ALL THERE. As can be seen in the photos above, the only thing left really is to wire the engine, finish of some switches I had installed, wire the new lights, connect fuel tubing. Of course, the prop needs to be installed and pitched (tested for proper RPM at WOT, then tweaked again, you know the routine). Despite being so close to completion, with only a couple weeks of work I figure to complete connections and get things dialed in (assuming the new owner has knowledge and experience), I must still sell as "project". If this Capella does not sell during this winter, I will relist it again in the spring. Also, I may end up completing it then (if time permits) and sell as flying plane … but I will be asking another $1000 for it. !! IMPORTANT: If interested, email me only for the first communications, as I work full time and cannot always stop work to talk. Also, I like emails to help me track and document all of the communications generated by my ads. Although Barnstormers always lists the phone number in the ad, please know that I have "email only" noted in the ad … so any calls or voicemail will be ignored - sorry.

Extra Components that I have added to aircraft (but not necessarily shown in the pictures) are as follows: - Landing Lights (one on either side of the landing gear). Wires are run, needs connecting to switch (installed). - Tail Strobe Light (LED). Wires are run, needs connecting to switch (installed). - Key West regulator (installed and tested, works great to convert the AC to 12VDC ... powers the lights) - Remote mount for radio antenna (I used for my Icom radio, intended to reduce noise) Gear or items that are Not Included (but may be shown in photos): - Radio (not included) - Radio Antenna (not included) - Flight Timer (not included) - Helmet and Head-set (not included) Misc.: - Please know that the traditional sprung-steel main gear was changed on this Capella. - Also, there are no brakes installed on this one. Link to my YouTube Video, flying the farm in 2016 (powered by the old screaming Yamaha): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBz9Atg3Ia4 Notes: Will try to upload a photo gallery with a handful of other photos, and provide link (in this document) in the next week or so. I have a few hundred pictures that I will provide on CD ROM or flash drive to go with the plane. I also have the original user manual in PDF format, and other supporting documents that I will also copy over. The following Excerpts from Wiki: >>> Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capella_Javelin The Capella Javelin is a family of American open cockpit, high wing, tractor configuration, conventional landing gear-equipped ultralight aircraft that were produced in kit form by Capella Aircraft of Austin, Texas and intended for amateur construction. The single seat Javelin I was designed to comply with the American FAR 103 ultralight regulations, including that category's maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight. Capella Aircraft went out of business in late 2007, and the type is no longer in production. <<< >>> Design and development The Javelin was introduced circa 1999 and was intended to appeal to pilots who wanted to experience totally open-air flight. The design features an open frame fuselage of welded 4130 steel tubing, with the pilot's and passenger's seats bolted to the frame. The horizontal stabilizer and tail fin are also constructed of welded steel tubes. The wing is framed from riveted aluminium tubing with all flying surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. The wing is equipped with full span ailerons.

The conventional landing gear includes sprung-steel main gear and a similarly sprung steerable tail wheel. The open cockpit design provides good visibility while taxiing. The standard engine supplied by the manufacturer for the single seat version was the 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277, but it was reported that the aircraft was underpowered with that engine installed. The throttle control is of a unique motorcycle grip type. Original factory kit options included a cockpit pod and windshield, brakes and steel tube powder coating. The single-seat Javelin was developed into a tandem two seater, designated the Javelin II and then further developed into the T-Raptor ultralight trainer. The T-Raptor uses a wider and more enclosed fuselage, with optional bubble-windowed doors, to allow cool weather flying and was intended to be marketed to ultralight schools. <<< >>> General characteristics Crew: one Length: 18 ft 0 in (5.49 m) Wingspan: 28 ft 0 in (8.53 m) Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Wing area: 112 sq ft (10.4 m2) Empty weight: 240 lb (109 kg) Gross weight: 575 lb (261 kg) Fuel capacity: 5 US gallons (19 litres) Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 277 single cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, 28 hp (21 kW) Performance Maximum speed: 63 mph (101 km/h; 55 kn) Cruise speed: 60 mph (97 km/h; 52 kn) Stall speed: 26 mph (42 km/h; 23 kn) Range: 138 mi; 222 km (120 nmi) Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (3,800 m) Rate of climb: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s) Avionics none <<<