Airborne XT

The Airborne XT is an Australian series of two-seat flying wing ultralight trikes designed and produced by Airborne Windsports and introduced in 2003.[1]

XT Series
Airborne XT-912 Tourer
Role Ultralight trike
National origin Australia
Manufacturer Airborne Windsports
Introduction 2003
Status In production
Produced 2003-present
Developed from Airborne Outback

Design and development

The XT series features an XT carriage and a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The wing is made from bolted-together aluminium tubing, with its double surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 9.9 m (32.5 ft) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame control bar. A number of different wings are available for the series. The XT was the first carriage used by Airborne that incorporated landing gear shock absorbers. It also uses a gas strut to lower and raise the wing for rigging it. Powerplants include the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912 four cylinder, four stroke, horizontally-opposed aircraft engine and the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two stroke, inline engine.[1]

Variants
XT-912 Streak 2
Initial version with 60 kW (80 hp) Rotax 912 engine, Streak 2 wing and cockpit fairing, introduced in 2003.[1]
XT912-SST Tundra
Model with 60 kW (80 hp) Rotax 912 engine and SST strut-braced wing, cockpit fairing and tundra tires for off-airport operations.[2][3]
XT-912 Tundra
Model with 60 kW (80 hp) Rotax 912 engine and Streak or Cruze model wing, cockpit fairing and tundra tires for off-airport operations.[2]
XT-912 Tourer
Model with 60 kW (80 hp) Rotax 912 engine and Streak or Cruze model wing and cockpit fairing.[2]
XT-912 Outback
Development of the Airborne Outback model with 60 kW (80 hp) Rotax 912 engine tundra wheels, 70 litres (15 imp gal; 18 US gal) fuel tank and GX instrument package and no cockpit fairing.[2][3]
XT-582 Tourer
Model with 48 kW (64 hp) Rotax 582 engine, Cruze model wing and cockpit fairing.[2][3]
XT-582 Tundra
Model with 48 kW (64 hp) Rotax 582 engine, tundra tires and cockpit fairing.[2]
XT-582 Outback
Development of the Airborne Outback model with 48 kW (64 hp) Rotax 582 engine, tundra tires and no fairing.[2]

Specifications (XT Streak 2)
Airborne XT-912 showing cozy crew accommodation

Data from Betrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one
  • Wingspan: 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 15 m2 (160 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 216 kg (476 lb)
  • Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 62 litres (14 imp gal; 16 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 four cylinder, four stroke, horizontally-opposed aircraft engine, 60 kW (80 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
  • Stall speed: 56 km/h (35 mph, 30 kn)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 94. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Airborne Windsports (2011). "Airborne Microlight Range". Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  3. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 202. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
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