The Sadler Vampire LSA (www.sadleraircraft.com) is the latest iteration of aircraft designed and engineered by Bill Sadler. Mr. Sadler, a graduate of the Massachusettes Institute of Technology, has over 25 years of experience designing, engineering, and manufacturing aircraft.

The first aircraft Mr. Sadler produced was the Sadler Vampire Ultralight: a 247-pound single-seater with a 30' wingspan stressed to +/- 6 G's. The Sadler Vampire Ultralight was noted for being well ahead of its time. In 1982 it won EAA Airventure's prestigious Grand Champion's Award for its innovation and workmanship. Over 50 of the aircraft were built in both the USA and Australia during the mid-1980's. And to this day many aviation enthusiasts remember the aircraft for its ramp appeal and excellent handling characteristics.

Mr. Sadler left the civilian aircraft market in the mid-1980's to apply his talents to military applications. Working with General Atomics in the late 1980's and early 90's, Sadler was involved in the early development of the Predator drone project, as well as several remote and autonomous flight programs. Out of this project was born the V-6 powered Sadler A22 aircraft and the UAV 18-50 drone.

In 1997 Mr. Sadler contracted with Turkish Aerospace Industries to develop the Piranha air-to-ground attack fighter. The Piranha weighed just 1450 pounds and boasted a useful load of the same. It was powered by a 450hp water-cooled aluminum-block V8. The power-to-weight ratio was so great that the Piranha was capable of verticle climb rates over 4000 feet per minute.

The new Sadler Vampire LSA is a carryover from the military designs developed by Mr. Sadler. The Vampire LSA's main wing spar is actually stronger than the Pirhana's, and much of the technology, including the folding wing design, landing gear, airframe construction, and control mechanisms are borrowed directly from Sadler's military craft.

 

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