- Source: Fly Synthesis Texan
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 m2 (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 SynthesisGeneral 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 m2 (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/m2 (8.20 lb/sq ft)
See also
Similar aircraft
Sunward Aurora
References
External links
Official website