CFM

History

David George Cook (b. 1941) began his aviation career with hang gliders. Between 1975 and 1977 he won every National and International hang gliding competition entered, flying a Volmer Jensen designed VJ-23, and then in 1977 he designed and built a power unit for his glider which he designated VJ-23e. In 1978 he became the first and lowest-powered microlight to cross the English Channel. His successes in this venture led to sponsorship from Duckhams Oil and there followed a period of demonstration flights at major air shows.

In 1979, with Neil Moran, Cook designed and built 'Musfly', a man powered aircraft, basically a two-man, 62 ft flying wing, but the project was abandoned. In 1980 Cook and Volmer Jenson modified Jensons VJ-24 foot launched hang glider in 3 weeks to a wheeled/powered version. Designated VJ-24w, this was probably the world's first microlight.

CFM Metal-Fax Ltd (CFM - Cook Flying Machines) was formed in 1983 by Cook to produce the Shadow microlight design, operating from a factory in Leiston, Suffolk, England, and from nearby Framlingham Airfield. Originally fitted with an EC44 Robin two stroke engine producing 53 h.p ., the engine was subsequently replaced by a Rotax 447 two stroke air-cooled unit producing 40 h.p., this was to form the basis of the Shadow 'B' series power unit. In 1988 the 'C' series was introduced with the more powerful 50 h.p. Rotax 503 two stroke air-cooled engine together with streamlined struts, providing a significant improvement in take-off performance. Many 'B' series Shadows have been upgraded to 'C' series specification. Both models conform to the British Civil Aviation Authority, Section S requirements and can be flown on a Microlight licence.

In 1988 the Streak Shadow was introduced and having a 28ft wing span and the more powerful Rotax 532 liquid cooled engine producing 64 h.p. and the Star Streak has yet shorter wings than the Streak and powered by the Rotax 618. These were, however, outside the U.K. microlight category.

In 1990, the Streak Shadow was licensed for production by Laron Aviation Technologies, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, United States, as a home-build kit. Also in 1990, Cook designed the tailless, swept wing Image. Only one was built and first flew in 1994.

By late 1996, due to cash flow problems, CFM Metal-Fax had to call in the Receiver and in 1997 CFM Aircraft Limited was formed to take over the business.

In 2002, both Laron Aviation Technologies and CFM Aircraft Limited were acquired by Airborne Innovations LLC, based in Texas, and rebranded CFM Airborne Inc. and CFM Airborne (UK) Ltd. respectively. Initially it was intended to set up a U.K. production facility in North Lanarkshire, but this came to nothing.

Bella Aviation, which had been involved in manufacturing the CFM Shadow series for more than 20 years, announced in June 2004 that it had acquired rights to the product range of the former CFM Airborne (UK) Ltd and was to resume production immediately of the Shadow and Streak series, with facilities on the former RAF Bentwaters airfield, and was working on new and improved additions to the Shadow/Streak family and a 'next-generation Shadow' was in the design stage for a planned first flight in 2006. Unfortunately, Bella announced on 20 August 2004 that it had suspended operations.

Following this, parts, and some of their jigs, were bought by the Shadow Flight Centre, who continues to support the aircraft.

Company References

1. http://www.davidcookaviator.com/
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20080608231824/http://freespace.virgin.net/shadow.owners/index.htm
3. http://www.british-hang-gliding-history.com/magazines/wings/no-33/no-33.pdf

Project Data

Total CFM Production365+