Stoddard-Hamilton Glasair Ii-S Rg

Single Piston

The Stoddard-Hamilton Glasair II-S RG represents one of the most successful high-performance amateur-built aircraft designs of the 1980s and 1990s. Built from composite materials and featuring retractable landing gear, the Glasair II-S combined fighter-like handling with cross-country speed that rivaled certified aircraft costing several times more. The design emerged from Tom Hamilton's original Glasair prototype in the early 1980s, evolving through several iterations before the refined II-S model became the company's flagship offering. With a never-exceed speed of 220 knots and cruise speeds routinely exceeding 180 knots, the type offered performance that placed it among the fastest piston singles in general aviation. The Glasair II-S RG was sold as a kit requiring between 1,400 and 2,000 builder hours, attracting experienced homebuilders willing to invest the time for exceptional performance. The retractable gear variant added complexity but delivered the clean aerodynamics that made the type's speed possible. Powered typically by Lycoming IO-360 or IO-320 engines producing 180 to 200 horsepower, the aircraft achieved its performance through light weight and slippery design rather than brute power. The composite construction—primarily fiberglass and epoxy—allowed for smooth surfaces and precise aerodynamic shaping impossible with traditional aluminum. The type earned a reputation for responsive handling and demanding piloting, with approach speeds around 75 knots and stall characteristics that required respect. Its narrow operating envelope between stall and never-exceed speed made it unsuitable for inexperienced pilots, but rewarded skilled aviators with sports-car-like precision. The Glasair line eventually evolved into the Glasair III and later the Sportsman utility design, but the II-S remains the classic expression of the homebuilt speed machine philosophy. SkyMeter has tracked 3 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with MCGREW ROBIN L the largest observed operator.