Aircraft overview

The Steen Skybolt is a two seat, tandem cockpit aerobatic biplane designed by Lamar Steen in the United States. The prototype first flew in 1970, and the type has since been built primarily from plans by individual builders rather than by a conventional factory production line. It occupies the experimental amateur built category, with a mission centered on sport flying, aerobatic training and cross country capability in a classic biplane layout.

The Skybolt matters because it gave private builders access to a capable, full size aerobatic aircraft with a steel tube fuselage, wood wing structure and fabric covering. It is often compared with other homebuilt aerobatic biplanes, but its larger airframe and frequent use of six cylinder Lycoming power distinguish many examples on the used market.

Performance & specifications

Performance varies materially by builder, engine, propeller, empty weight and rigging. Typical cruise speeds are commonly reported in the 120 to 140 knot range, with faster examples usually using more power and cleaner fairings. Practical range is normally several hundred nautical miles, depending on fuel capacity and engine choice.

• Powerplant: commonly Lycoming O-360, IO-360, O-540 or IO-540 engines, typically about 180 to 260 hp
• Configuration: conventional landing gear, two wings, tandem seating
• Useful load: varies by individual aircraft, often roughly in the 500 to 650 lb class when equipped for two seat sport use
• Ceiling: dependent on engine and weight, with many aircraft operated well below oxygen altitudes for aerobatic and recreational missions

Cabin & avionics

The Skybolt has two tandem open cockpits, although individual aircraft may have windscreens, canopies or cockpit fairing changes. Space is typical of aerobatic biplanes: functional rather than spacious, with baggage capacity limited and highly dependent on the build.

Avionics are not standardized. Most used examples have simple VFR equipment: airspeed, altimeter, tachometer, oil pressure and temperature, cylinder head and exhaust gas temperature monitoring, a comm radio, transponder and ADS-B Out where required. Some aircraft have compact EFIS displays, GPS navigators or modern engine monitors. Integrated suites such as Garmin Perspective or G1000 are not typical for the Steen Skybolt.

Buying & value

Every Skybolt should be evaluated as an individual aircraft. Buyers should focus on build quality, weight and balance documentation, logbook continuity, aerobatic history, fabric condition, corrosion protection, wing and tail rigging, landing gear alignment and the condition of the steel tube fuselage and wood wing components. Engine installation details matter, especially cooling, exhaust, fuel system design and whether inverted fuel and oil systems are fitted.

Common differences in the used market include engine size, fixed pitch versus constant speed propeller, smoke systems, inverted systems, avionics upgrades, wheel pants, canopy style and finish quality. Values usually sit below factory built certified aerobatic aircraft, but well documented Skybolts with strong engines, low time components and careful workmanship command a clear premium over heavier or lightly documented examples.