Aquilair Kid

The Aquilair Kid is a French ultralight trike designed and produced by Aquilair of Theizé. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]

Kid
Role Ultralight trike
National origin France
Manufacturer Aquilair
Status Production completed (2014)

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 300 kg (661 lb). It features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a single-seat open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft is made from metal tubing, with its wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 9.9 m (32.5 ft) span Star 12 wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The standard powerplant is a twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 engine, with the 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 and the 64 hp (48 kW) liquid-cooled Rotax 582 optional.[1]

With the Star 12 wing the aircraft has an empty weight of 132 kg (291 lb) and a gross weight of 300 kg (661 lb), giving a useful load of 168 kg (370 lb). With full fuel of 30 litres (6.6 imp gal; 7.9 US gal) the payload is 146 kg (322 lb).[1]

The aircraft is supplied in modular form, with the chassis, engine, reduction drive and propeller all available separately. A number of different wings can be fitted to the basic carriage, but the Star 12 was formerly the standard wing offered. The chassis incorporates an under-seat pivot system that allows the wing to be mounted and then raised into position.[1]

Variants
Kid 447
Aircraft with the twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, single-ignition 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 and the 64 hp (48 kW)[1]
Kid 503
Aircraft with the twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 engine[1]
Kid 582
Aircraft with the twin cylinder, liquid-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine[1]

Specifications (Kid 503 with Star 12 wing)

Data from Bayerl[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 12.9 m2 (139 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 132 kg (291 lb)
  • Gross weight: 300 kg (661 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 30 litres (6.6 imp gal; 7.9 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition aircraft engine, 37 kW (50 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 145 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 90 km/h (56 mph, 49 kn)
  • Stall speed: 52 km/h (32 mph, 28 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 23.2 kg/m2 (4.8 lb/sq ft)

References
  1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 205. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
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