Maupin Carbon Dragon .... Marske Monarch .... SuperFloater
[revised 1/1/2003]
This page is in response to a common NewsGroup question concerning the differences between these three very interesting aircraft ... all designed by notable designers. Each glider has its unique niche.

Carbon Dragon after Bungee Launch
Sailplane: | Carbon Dragon | Monarch | SuperFloater |
Designers | Jim Maupin and Irv Culver | Marske | Klaus and Larry Hill |
Configuration | High wing Standard tail 3-axis control Enclosed cockpit Full span flaperons |
Swept forward wing Flying wing 3-axis control Open cockpit |
High wing Standard tail 3-axis control Open Primary glider |
Contact | Jim Maupin, Ltd | Marske Aircraft Corp. | US Aviation Dan Johnson 612-450-0930 |
Address ... | 24201 Rowel Ct. | 975 Loire Valley Dr. | 265 Echo Lane |
.... | Tehachapi, CA 93561 | Marion OH 43302 | So St. Paul MN 55075 |
Empty Weight | 144 pounds | 220 pounds | 179 pounds |
Gross Weight | 300 normal 335 maximum |
450 pounds | 400 pounds |
Pilot Weight | 180 pounds | 230 | 220 pounds |
Wing Span | 44 feet | 42.6 feet | 38 feet |
Wing area | 153 sq ft | 185 sq ft | 168 sq ft |
Wing Loading | 2.18 lb/sq ft | 2.43 lb/sq ft | 2.38 lb/sq ft |
Aspect Ratio | 12.9 : 1 | 9.5 : 1 | 8.44 : 1 |
Height | 5' 9" | 5 feet | 5 feet |
Length | 19' 2" | 12.5 feet | 19 feet |
Launch | Foot launchable Bungee (see photo above) automobile ultralight |
60 hp ultralight automobile |
Automobile Ultralight Super Cub (?) |
Top Speed (Vne) | 65 mph | 70 mph | 60 mph |
Best L/D | 26:1 at 35 mph | 19 at 45 mph | 15:1 at 38 mph |
Number flying | 4 .. 1 in the USA | 20 kits sold | ? |
Minimum sink | 100 fpm or 1.67 fps at 26 mph |
162 fpm or 2.7 fps 30 mph |
180 fpm (120 fpm ??) at 28 mph |
Altitude loss in 360 degree turn |
20 feet | ? | ? |
Stall Speed | 21 | 24 mph | 27 |
Kit | no ... but see note below | yes, about $6,600 | Was $5,995 ready to fly |
Information Packet | $5 | $8 | Ready-to-Fly Basic SuperFloater -- $9,995 |
Plans cost | Plans are no longer available. Cost was $160. Suggest you place an ad in .... Sailplane Builder. |
$170 |
Mountain Green, Utah, in the old UP International factory building, with the new company, Blue Skies Aviation Sam Martin, who has the very first Super Floater off the production line hangered at Wallaby Ranch |
Building time | 1200 hours | 200 | n/a |
Note: The Blanton plywood kits are no longer available for the Carbon Dragon
- All parts are router cut from 1/4 inch 5-ply marine plywood ... very nice looking
Sources: Designer information packets, plans, Soaring, July 1997, SHA newsletter and the Internet.
Address of this page: http://www.cpinternet.com/sadkins/compare.htm
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