gontek

Back to the topic of the Aceair Aeris 200. Here are some randomly specs and performance on the Aceair Aeris 200 from Jane's "Jane's All the Worlds Aircraft 2002-2003", page 441: Wingspan: 26ft 3 in Length: 21'+ Wing Area: 66.7 sq ft Ailerons: 3.23 sq ft Foreplanes: 6.46 sq ft Tailplane: 11.41 sq ft Elevators: 4.63 sq ft Weights: Empty - 662 lb Payload w max fuel - 441 lb MAx TO Wt - 1278 lb Max Wing Loading: 19.16 lb/sq ft Performance (Estimated with AE 110) VNE = 200 kt Criuse = 160 kt @ 11480 ft VA = 140 kt Stall Clean: 61 kt Stall w flaps - solo: 50 kt rate of climb: 1560 ft/im at SL, 840 ft/min @ 11480 ft TO Run at S/L = 950 ft TO + 50ft obs at SL = 1475 ft Landing at SL 885', 1935' over 50 ft obs Range = 877 nm Endurance at max cruise (w 45 min res) 5h 45 min In my opinion that paints a picture of a pretty nice airplane I'd like to have for fun flying around and cross country duty. The foreplane has flaps but the elevator is on the tailplane. The power plant specified is a Mid-West AE 110 rotary Engine with 105 hp, driving a 3 blade prop. A Rotax 912 ULS is also listed as an optional engine. Equipment also lists a ballistic parachute behind the passenger seat. Pretty Sweet if you asked me.

I really like the canard configuration but what I really want is a 3LS, like a 4 seat version of the Piaggio P.180 Avanti. I am not really sure but I don't think it's been done before. Here's what my research has turned up: http://forums.x-plane.org/lofiversion/index.php?t24139.html This one almost hits it on the head. Think Avanti with Adam twin booms and Cozy/EZ pusher configuration. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aceair_AERIKS_200 http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/eagle.html And of course check out the Avanti. I imagine a 3LS would have a lot of the desirable characteristics of the Cozy for instance the handling would be improved and takeoff run decreased. Has anyone seen anything like this, and how much time and money should I spend on this idea. I have lots of time and very little money I'd like to design it in my free time - I have an aero engineering degree but have a lot to learn about composites and experimental homebuilding. Actually one of my professors designed the avanti!