Air Creation GT
The Air Creation GT and Clipper are a series of French two-seat flying wing ultralight trikes that was designed and produced by Air Creation.[2]
| Air Creation GTE | |
| Role | Ultralight trike |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Air Creation |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | Over 2000[1] |
| Variants | Air Creation Trek |
Design and development Edit
The GT series features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a tandem-seat, open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[2]
The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminium tubing, with its double-surface wing covered in Trilam sailcloth. Its 189 sq ft (17.6 m2) area wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame control bar. A variety of wings and engines has been fitted to the GT carriage, to form new variants.[2]
When equipped with a cockpit fairing, the aircraft is called the Clipper.[3]
The GT series can be fitted with the later-designed Air Creation NuviX wing.[1]
The GT was replaced in production by the Air Creation Skypper.[1]
Variants Edit
- GT-BI
- Version with XP-15 wing, center of gravity adjustable sliding keel, pneumatic suspension of all three landing gear wheels and a steerable nose wheel equipped with a drum brake. The engine is a Rotax 503 of 50 hp (37 kW)[2]
- Kiss 400 GTE 582
- Version with the Kiss 400 wing, rated for 400 kg (882 lb) and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW)[3]
- Kiss 450 GTE 582
- Version with the Kiss 450 wing, rated for 450 kg (992 lb) and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW)[3]
- Mild GTE 582 Float
- Version with the Mild wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW) and dual floats for water operations.[3]
- XP-12 Buggy 582 SL
- Version with the XP-12 wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW) and float for water operations.[2][3]
- MILD-GTE 503 SL
- Version with the MILD wing of 178 sq ft (16.5 m2) and Rotax 503 engine of 50 hp (37 kW)[4]
- MILD-GTE 582
- Version with the MILD wing of 178 sq ft (16.5 m2) and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW)[5]
- XP-GTE 582 SL
- Version with the XP wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW)[4]
- XP-Buggy
- Version with the XP wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW)[4]
- iXess Clipper 582
- Version with a fairing, the iXess wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW).[3]
- XP-17 Clipper 912
- Version with a fairing, the XP-17 wing and Rotax 912 four stroke engine of 80 hp (60 kW).[3]
Specifications (MILD-GTE 503 SL) Edit
Data from Kitplanes[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 2.4 m (8 ft)
- Wingspan: 10 m (33 ft)
- Height: 3.7 m (12 ft)
- Wing area: 16.5 m2 (178 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 172 kg (379 lb)
- Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 15 U.S. gallons (57 L; 12 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 , 37 kW (50 hp)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 80 km/h (50 mph, 43 kn)
- Service ceiling: 4,900 m (16,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 3.70 m/s (728 ft/min)
References Edit
- ^ a b c Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 200. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ a b c d e Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-3. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- ^ a b c d e f g Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, pages 91-92. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ a b c d Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, pages 44-45. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 102. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1