Las Brisas Mohawk
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The Las Brisas Mohawk is an American
homebuilt aircraft Homebuilt aircraft, also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch", from plans, or from assembly kits.Armstrong, Kenn ...
that was designed and produced by Las Brisas Sales of
Ozark, Missouri Ozark is a city in and the county seat of Christian County, Missouri. Its population was 21,284 as of the 2020 census. Ozark is also the third largest city in the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area, and is centered along a business loop ...
. When it was available the aircraft was supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction.Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition'', page 193. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998.


Design and development

Based upon the Avid Flyer, which it greatly resembles, the Mohawk features a
strut-braced In aeronautics, bracing comprises additional structural members which stiffen the functional airframe to give it rigidity and strength under load. Bracing may be applied both internally and externally, and may take the form of struts, which act in ...
high wing A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft A fixed-wing aircraft is a heavier-than-air aircraft, such as an airplane, which is capable of flight using aerodynamic lift. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft (in which a r ...
, a two-seats-in-
side-by-side configuration Tandem, or in tandem, is an arrangement in which two or more animals, machines, or people are lined up one behind another, all facing in the same direction. ''Tandem'' can also be used more generally to refer to any group of persons or objects w ...
enclosed cockpit accessed via doors, fixed
conventional landing gear Conventional landing gear, or tailwheel-type landing gear, is an aircraft Landing gear, undercarriage consisting of two main wheels forward of the Center of gravity of an aircraft, center of gravity and a small wheel or skid to support the tail ...
and a single engine in
tractor configuration In aviation, a tractor configuration is a propeller-driven fixed-wing aircraft with its engine mounted with the propeller in front, so that the aircraft is "pulled" through the air. This is the usual configuration; the pusher configuration ...
. The aircraft is made from metal tubing, with its flying surfaces and
fuselage The fuselage (; from the French language, French ''fuselé'' "spindle-shaped") is an aircraft's main body section. It holds Aircrew, crew, passengers, or cargo. In single-engine aircraft, it will usually contain an Aircraft engine, engine as wel ...
covered doped
aircraft fabric Aircraft fabric covering is a term used for both the material used and the process of covering aircraft open structures. It is also used for reinforcing closed plywood structures. The de Havilland Mosquito is an example of this technique, as are ...
. Its span wing features
Junkers Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG (JFM, earlier JCO or JKO in World War I, English language, English: Junkers Aircraft and Motor Works) more commonly Junkers , was a major German aircraft manufacturer, aircraft and aircraft engine manufactu ...
flaperons, has a wing area of and is supported by "V" struts with jury struts. The plans specify standard hydraulic brakes, a steerable tailwheel and wings that fold for ground transport or storage. The standard engine used is the
Rotax 503 The Rotax 503 is a , inline 2-cylinder, two-stroke engine, two-stroke aircraft engine, built by Rotax, BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG of Austria for use in ultralight aircraft.Raisner, William: ''LEAF catalog'', pp. 6-105. Leading Edge Airfoils, 1 ...
two-stroke A two-stroke (or two-stroke cycle) engine is a type of internal combustion engine that completes a power cycle with two strokes of the piston, one up and one down, in one revolution of the crankshaft in contrast to a four-stroke engine which re ...
powerplant, which gives a standard day, sea level takeoff distance of and a landing roll of . The Mohawk has a typical empty weight of and a gross weight of , giving a useful load of . With full fuel of the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is . The manufacturer estimates the construction time from the supplied plans as 900 hours. In 1998 the designer indicated that the aircraft could be completed for
US$ The United States dollar (Currency symbol, symbol: Dollar sign, $; ISO 4217, currency code: USD) is the official currency of the United States and International use of the U.S. dollar, several other countries. The Coinage Act of 1792 introdu ...
6,500 excluding labor. Modern Interest and Legacy Although the Las Brisas Mohawk is no longer available as of 2014, its design continues to capture the interest of homebuilt aircraft enthusiasts. Its combination of simplicity, affordability, and versatility made it an attractive option for amateur builders during its production period. The Mohawk’s capability to be stored in compact spaces thanks to its foldable wings remains a standout feature, appealing to hobbyists with limited hangar space. Additionally, its low operating costs and ease of assembly make it a frequent topic in online forums and communities dedicated to experimental aviation. Potential for Revival The Mohawk’s solid performance characteristics, such as its 1,200 ft/min rate of climb and 320-mile range, still hold relevance for light aircraft builders today. There has been ongoing speculation within the homebuilt aircraft community about the possibility of modernizing the Mohawk’s plans. Suggestions for updates include integrating lightweight composite materials and alternative engines like four-stroke powerplants or electric propulsion systems. A revival of the Mohawk design, equipped with contemporary technology, could address the growing demand for eco-friendly, efficient, and affordable personal aircraft.


Specifications (Mohawk)


References

{{reflist Mohawk 1990s United States sport aircraft 1990s United States ultralight aircraft 1990s United States civil utility aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft High-wing aircraft Homebuilt aircraft