Texan | |
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Role | Ultralight aircraft and Light-sport aircraftType of aircraft |
National origin | Italy |
Manufacturer | Fly Synthesis |
Introduction | 1999 |
Status | In production |
Produced | 1999-present |
The Fly Synthesis Texan is an Italian ultralight and light-sport aircraft, designed and produced by Fly Synthesis and which has been in production since 1999. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
Design and development
The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules and US light-sport aircraft rules. It features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed or retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.
The aircraft is made from carbon fibre. Its 8.60 m (28.2 ft) span wing has an area of 11.80 m (127.0 sq ft) and flaps. Standard engines available are the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL, the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS and the 85 hp (63 kW) Jabiru 2200 four-stroke powerplants.
Operational history
On 23 November 2013, six Fly Synthesis Texans broke the Guinness world record for the lowest flying formation by flying at 422 m (1,385 ft) below sea level at the Dead Sea in Israel.
Variants
- Texan 600
- Version with a gross weight of 600 kg (1,323 lb) and with fixed landing gear, for the United States light-sport aircraft class. Known as the Lafayette Texan in the US.
- Texan Top Class
- Version with a gross weight of 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) and with fixed landing gear, for the European microlight aircraft class.
- Texan Club
- Version of the Texan Top Class with a gross weight of 472.5 kg (1,042 lb), with fixed landing gear and equipped with a 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL engine for the European microlight aircraft class.
- Texan RG
- Version of the Texan Top Class with a gross weight of 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) and retractable landing gear for the European microlight aircraft class.
Specifications (Texan Top Class)
Data from Bayerl and Fly Synthesis
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 6.90 m (22 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 8.60 m (28 ft 3 in)
- Height: 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 11.80 m (127.0 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 289 kg (637 lb)
- Gross weight: 472.5 kg (1,042 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 100 litres (22 imp gal; 26 US gal) in two 50 litres (11 imp gal; 13 US gal) tanks
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS four cylinder, liquid and air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 75 kW (101 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
- Cruise speed: 200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
- Stall speed: 64 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
- g limits: +4/-2
- Rate of climb: 6 m/s (1,200 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 40.04 kg/m (8.20 lb/sq ft)
See also
- Similar aircraft
References
- ^ Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 52. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 55. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- AOPA Israel (November 2013) New Israeli Guinness Record of lowest, below sea level, formation flight has been broken 23 November 2013, retrieved 13 March 2014
- Fly Synthesis (2011). "Aircraft description". Retrieved 27 June 2012.
External links
Portals:Fly Synthesis aircraft | |
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Fixed wing aircraft |