10-0174 Skycraft Scout (Wheeler Sea Scout) (MSN 626), owned by Chris Perryer, at Sport Aircraft Builders Club (SABC) Annual Fly-In, Serpentine Airfield – 25 October 2020. The world’s first commercially produced ultra light, using a rigid wing. Sydney-based boat builder named Ron Wheeler had previously built catamaran yachts and a hang glider, and gained knowledge of aerodynamics from books at the library. He designed and built the aircraft in his spare time. The Wheeler Scout first flew in July 1972 and was put into production as the Skycraft Scout. Using sources referenced from the library at Sydney Technical College and Hurstville local Library he built up a working knowledge of aerodynamics. It used an aluminium yacht mast as the wing spar, with Dacron sailcloth for the wing covering, lanyards and battens. It only had a rudder and elevator controls. The Scout was the first ultralight aircraft to be covered by airworthiness regulations in the world, under Air Navigation Order(ANO)95.10 issued by the Australian Department of Transport, which launched the ultralight aircraft industry in Australia. Photo © David Eyre.