See update at bottom of this page.
This picture was taken in about 1990 at the Wichita, Ks. Jumbo Fun Fly.  I am the handsome devil squatting.  I cut the fuselage from white foam, then fiber glassed. primed and painted with acrylic enamel.  No guts, no glory as I did not make a smaller version first.  This one is powered by an O.S. 90 4 stroke and weighs about 16 lbs.  No one wanted to tell me I was crazy as hell and that the damned thing would never fly.  My test pilot, George Sauer, however kept the faith.  First 3 times out we proved everyone right as the SOB would not even move an inch on the ground.  I removed the shroud at the prompting of Dennis Reichenberger and all hell broke loose.  It rumbled down our grass strip like it would actually fly.  So the 4 or 5 spectators quietly snuck under the picnic table .... except for Bob Terhune ... he had my video camera rolling and was quite worried that we would hit him in the head with the darned thing .... But to EVERYONE''s amazement, the damned thing flew.  I mean it flew right off the proverbial drawing board with only minor trim changes.  Dennis had insisted the shroud had to be made like an airfoil, with the curved part to the inside to direct the air to the tips of the prob.  I usually listen to Dennis, so I made a new shroud and it now fly's fine with it on.  It is a real pussy cat.  George is going to try a smaller, electric version so will let you know how that turns out.

 Click here for a lot of Design Information  that includes information on Canards and Pushers.  I am currently working on a page that will be devoted to the technical specifications of the Stratos (got it done, so click here)  and my models and hope to have a 3 view and other interesting info as I compile this section.  You will not build a more satisfying model !!

For the record.  There are no plans available anywhere to my knowledge, nor kits.  My agreement with the Ligeti's was not to publish them as the design was under patent and their plans included a model.  Don't know where the situation stands at this point as Charles was killed in it and the last I heard the design was up for sale.  It was my understanding that he was experimenting with a shrake within the shroud and that the flight went fine for about 20 minutes, then the craft stalled at about 100' altitude over the runway and he was unable to recover.  The latest info is that Mr. Ligeti's son is now working to be an aeronautical engineer and thinking about doing something with his dad's Stratos (see below)  The one that crashed was a different prototype.

 If this changes (about plans) anytime in the future I will let you know right here..... Marv Reese .O.P.S.B.
no not Md, Ph.D. but O.P.S.B. ..... one persistent som-bitch

UPDATE:  Got an email from another Australian. Michael Czajka, who was familiar with the Stratos.  He had recently spoken to Ron Ligeti, who is Charles Ligeti's son.  He advised that Ron now has his aeronautical qualifications and is working on a copy of the original Stratos, which by the way is still flying after nearly 20 years.  It was his information that in developing a commercial production prototype, Mr. Ligeti had added a STRAKE in the propellor shroud.  As the speed of the propellor is varied, the amount of lift over the STRAKE would vary and destabilize the aircraft.  That seemed to be the cause of the crash.

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