The Aerolite 103 was designed by long-time aviation enthusiast Terry Raber in 1996. The first prototype Aerolite 103 flew on October 6, 1996. Aerolite 103 debuted at Oshkosh in 1997. Between 1997 and 2012, hundreds of Aerolite 103’s were produced. It is sold as an assembly kit aircraft. The kit includes an illustrated assembly manual and pre-built fuselage, wings, control surfaces, jury struts and struts. The wings are covered by the builder with pre-sewn Dacron envelopes. This American, single seat and high wing aircraft has pusher configuration. Pusher configuration is supposed to be the earliest arrangement in airplanes, wherein the propeller faced backward and was placed right behind the aircraft’s engine. Several engines may be used with the Aerolite 103, including the Hirth F33, and F23, the Kawasaki 340 and 440, and the Rotax 377, 447 and 503. This aircraft has always been extremely popular and highly regarded by both experienced and newer pilots.