Warne Bubble Plane
| Bubble Plane | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Sporting aircraft |
| National origin | American |
| Manufacturer | Monte Warne |
| Number built | 1 |
| Registration | N11TH |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1995 |
The Bubble Plane was a sporting monoplane constructed by Monte Warne of Tennessee. It was notable for being made using components sourced from several different aircraft.
Design and development
The Bubble Plane was a high-wing pusher monoplane. It was constructed using the fuselage of a pre-owned RLU-1 Breezy, which had been equipped with the wings of a Piper PA-11 lightplane, and the wing-struts from a Piper PA-18, and was powered by a 160 hp (120 kW) Lycoming O-320 engine.[1]
In creating the Bubble Plane, Warne retained those components, but modified the fuselage to increase its length, changed the tandem seating arrangement to being side-by-side, and also replaced the original tricycle undercarriage with one that had a conventional tail-dragger layout. A bubble canopy sourced from a Bell 47 helicopter was located at the front of the fuselage, and provided excellent all-round visibility. A fairing was built between the canopy and the engine.[1] It had capacity to carry up to 200 lb (91 kg) of luggage, and sufficient fuel to fly for 32 hours.[2]
The Bubble Plane was given the FAA registration N11TH, with an airworthiness test taking place in 1995. The registration was kept active through to 2011.[3]
Specifications
Data from Sport Aviation[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 2
- Empty weight: 1,050 lb (476 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,850 lb (839 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 36 US gal (30 imp gal; 140 L)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320 , 160 hp (120 kW)
- Propellers: 3-bladed IVO Magnum
Performance
- Maximum speed: 115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn)
- Cruise speed: 90 mph (140 km/h, 78 kn)
- Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn)
- Endurance: 32 hours
- Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
- Takeoff distance: 200 ft (61 m)
- Landing distance: 300 ft (91 m)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- 1 2 3 Cox, Jack (July 1996). "The Bubble Plane: A Homebuilt With A View". Sport Aviation. Vol. 38, no. 7. Hales Corners, WI: EAA. pp. Front cover, 20–26.
- ↑ Hiles, Bill (18 August 1996). "Have Bubble Plane, ready to cruise". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. p. 36.
- ↑ "Aircraft N11TH Data". Airport-Data.com. Retrieved 6 February 2026.