Micro Aviation Bantam

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The Micro Aviation Bantam is a high wing two seat microlight aircraft built in New Zealand.

The first Bantam was a Rotax 503 powered single seater derived from the Phantom ultralight by Max Clear in 1983, and known as the B10, (B for Bantam, 10 as the number of people who helped build it).

The Bantam was a success, and Max Clear decided to build the type for others. He founded Micro Aviation at Te Kowhai to build a further improved version, the B-20, which had pull on sailcloth wings conventional 3 axis controls and some structural improvements.

In 1986 production switched to the B22, which had a two seat body, and Rotax 582 engine. Although the B-22 name has been retained, further large redesigns have seen a new wing with Clark Y section aerofoil, wider chord and shorter span adopted, and additional bracing added to the tail.

Current production models are the B22S with the new wing and the B22J (with an Australian Jabiru 85 hp 4-stroke engine). Variants have been made with amphibious float undercarriage, crop-spraying equipment, for coastal and game park patrol and with controls adapted for use by paraplegic pilots. As with many New Zealand aircraft the Bantam is effectively a STOL type, (stated ground roll is 30 metres, but without a passenger, a take off run of 20 feet in still air has been claimed), although the short undercarriage travel limits rough field capabilities.

As at 2006 275 Bantams have been produced. They can be found through out the world, but are most common in Australasia and Africa.