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If you have information to help "fill in the blanks" of Weedhopper history, please email us! Thank-you!Email ulav8r

1976:

John Chotia crafted the basic JC-24 (JC for John Chotia, 24 for his 24th design) airframe in 1976.

1977:

Weedhopper first flew in May 1977

1978:

John Chotia's efforts finally came good, his first two prototypes of the two-axis 'Weedhopper' making their maiden flights in February 1978. Carrying the type number 'JC-24', as they were his 24th design, they led to a pre-production machine the following year and large-scale production in 1980.

1979:

 First 'pre production" Weedhopper

Up until May 31, 1979 Model JC 24 - B. Weedhopper kits cost $2195,   June 1 and later, the price raises to $2495. 

1980:

 First large scale production of Weedhopper in USA
The Weedhopper model C first flew during August 1980.

1981:

"Weedhopper" Trade mark registered December 15, 1981 to
Weedhopper of Utah, Inc. CORPORATION UTAH P.O. Box 2253 Ogden UTAH 84404
(Cancellation Date July 22, 1988) registration Number: 1182000, Serial Number: 73258155

 Weedhoppers reach Europe and make a big impact

Pierangelo MEZZAPESA the 1st manufacture of WEEDHOPPER JC 24 D in Europe (in 1981. 50 apparatuses).

Tragically,  on 27 October 1981, John Chotia was killed while test flying one of his own machines.

1982:

 The Weedhopper 2 is test flown in Europe

1983:
Weedhopper factory shipped a C model to California and asked graduate aeronautical engineering students at the California State Polytechnic University at Pomona to study the aircraft. After testing a Weedhopper inside the university wind tunnel, the students concluded that the Weedhopper had a very robust airframe that could withstand at least 8 Gs 

Rotax engines make an appearance on ultralight aircraft for the first time

1984:

Maverick Mfg. Co., Port Orchard, WA - described as a Weedhopper style craft after Weedhopper and Nova-Air went out of business.

1985:

Pegasus Systems is a new company

Pierangelo MEZZAPESA oversees installation of the factory of ULTRALAIR and staff training for the manufacture of the WEEDHOPPER.

1986:

1987:

1988:

1989:

1990:

1991:

  The AX3 was seen as a machine with a lot of promise in 1991.

1992:
 

"Weedhopper" Trade mark registered September 1, 1992 through March 8, 1999
 To: ULTRALAIR S.A. JOINT STOCK COMPANY FRANCE Rue jean-Marie Frouin F-59121 PROUVY-ROUVIGNIES FRANCE
(Cancellation Date March 8, 1999) registration Number: 1711517, Serial Number: 74137645

 The AX3 side-by-side two-seater fixed-wing aircraft produced by Cyclone Airsports attained Section S. This machine has its roots in the American Weedhopper, designed in the early days of microlighting
Cyclone Airsports (Trading as Pegasus Aviation) Elm Tree Park, Manton, Marlborough, Wiltshire. SN8 1PS

1993:

ULTRALAIR S.A (Valencian - France): Pierangelo MEZZAPESA is Technical director  of research and development. Improvement of the EUROPA II, developed at the point of the AX3 and the EUROPA I last version. Certification of the AX3 for Great Britain.

1994:

 The AX3 gets a flight test. Paul Dewhurst finds it a surprising aircraft with good performance and manners. In its current form, the A3's Weedhopper ancestry is well concealed, but the basic structure was found to be little changed.

Tom Grieve and Hugh Knox became the first to cross the North Sea, flying from central Scotland to Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland, England and home in a Flash 2 Alpha and an AX3. The flight was planned in order to raise money for Amnesty International and to highlight those countries which didn't enjoy political freedom by touring those which did.

1995:

1996:
 The 40-horsepower Rotax 447 appeared on USA Weedhoppers

Pegasus demonstrated its extensively upgraded AX3, which had become the AX2000. Pegasus becomes the first British microlight manufacturer with its own web page in 1996.

1997:

Formation of the Hixson/Myers Weedhopper USA, Inc. on Dec 10, 1997 http://www.sos.state.ms.us/imaging/26444070.pdf
https://secure.sos.state.ms.us/busserv/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?232566

 The long-distance test flight theme, begun the previous year, continued when an AX2000 was flown from Wallingford to Bassano. The testers obviously enjoyed the journey as while they were supposed to trailer the aircraft back, once they were the right side of the Alps they re-rigged the machine and flew it home

1998:

1999:

  The UK 450 kg CAA rule has arrived with the first permit issued for an X-Air on 2nd July. X Air is exhibited at Telford at the last Exhibition. Flight testing the HKS powered X Air

2000:
 

"Weedhopper" Trade mark registered May 16, 2000 through February 24, 2007
To: Myers, Victor B, Hixson, Steven R  INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES P. O. Box 1377 Clinton MISSISSIPPI 39056
(Cancellation Date February 24, 2007) registration Number: 2349958, Serial Number: 75704002

2001:

The X’Air Falcon was  seeking BMAA approval.[ The British Microlight Aircraft Association] The Falcon was a development of the original X’Air involving a redesigned wing structure incorporating flaps, and a larger engine intended to boost the performance to match the other SLAs
BMAA Chairman Keith Negal moves to the chairmanship of manufacturer Pegasus, which entailed his resignation from the BMAA position.

2002:
In the USA, ultralight pilots could purchase an improved Weedhopper model 40 kit, complete with a Rotax 447 engine, for $7995.
Dealers have sold nearly 15,000 Weedhoppers world wide.

Pegasus Aircraft stopped manufacturing the AX3 at the end of 2002, but continues to supply parts
Keith Duckworth, founder of Cosworth, has bought Eileen Hudson's controlling interest in Mainair Sports Limited. As a result the Duckworth family now controls both Cyclone Airsports Limited and Mainair Sports Limited, manufacturers of Pegasus and Mainair microlights.

2003:

2004:

This image was taken of the WeedhopperUSA factory in Mississippi, 2004. Click to enlarge

2005:

2006:

2007: