Alpaero Exel

The Alpaero Exel is a French single seat, single engine pusher pod-and-boom kit-built ultralight motor glider.[1][2][3] About 10 had been produced by 2005.

Exel
Role Motor glider
National origin France
Manufacturer ALPAERO Noin Aéronautique, Châteauvieux
Designer Claude Noin
First flight September 1998
Number built 9 kits delivered by end 2005 plus prototype

Design and development

The Exel was designed to be sold complete or as a rapid-assembly kit. It is a single seat motor glider with a single engine in pusher configuration mounted high behind the cockpit. A T-tail is carried on a low set boom that extends the bottom line of the nose and cockpit pod.[3][4]

The mid-mounted wings have carbon fibre spar caps and are glass fibre skinned. For most of the span the wings have constant chord, but the final 30% is straight tapered on both edges, with winglets an option. The aspect ratio is 16.5. Flaperons extend from the wing root just into the trapezoidal tip; flap deflections are +5°, 0° and -5°. Upper surface air brakes are placed at mid chord, halfway along the parallel wing region.[4]

The fuselage is formed from two glass fibre half-shells and plywood bulkheads. The pod ends at the trailing edge of the wing; forward, the single piece canopy produces an almost linear profile to the nose. Fin and rudder, the latter fabric covered, are straight edged and slightly tapered, carrying a parallel edged, high aspect ratio tailplane with a single piece elevator. The Exel has a single main landing wheel mounted within an integral fuselage fairing, assisted by a tail wheel mounted in the base of the rudder. A pair of small outboard wheels protect the wingtips.[3][4]

The standard Exel is powered by an 18 hp (13.4 kW) JPX D-320 flat twin, two-stroke engine, driving a two bladed pusher carbon fibre propeller which can be folded so both blades point aft for gliding flight. Optionally, a 21 kW (28 hp) Hirth F-33 single cylinder two stroke engine, a four-stroke Briggs & Stratton 21 kW (28 hp) or a Zenoah G-25 16 kW (21 hp) single cylinder two stroke powerplant may be fitted. A ballistic recovery parachute is another option.[2][3][4]

Operational history

The prototype flew in September 1998 and production started the following year. By the end of 2005, 9 Exels had been delivered.[4]

Specifications (JPX powered)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010/11, p.193[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 5.90 m (19 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.74 m (45 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 11.62 m2 (125.1 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 196 kg (432 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 310 kg (683 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × JPX D-320 flat twin, two stroke with 2.38:1 reduction gearing, 13.4 kW (18.0 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed carbon fibre, folds rearwards with blades parallel for unpowered flight, 1.28 m (4 ft 2 in) diameter

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn) at 75% power
  • Stall speed: 63 km/h (39 mph, 34 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 179 km/h (111 mph, 97 kn)
  • Endurance: 3 hr
  • g limits: +4.4/-2.2
  • Rate of climb: 2 m/s (390 ft/min) at sea level
  • Rate of sink: 0.75 m/s (148 ft/min) minimum
  • Lift-to-drag: 30:1

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 54. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 133. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 353. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
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