Dickey E-Racer

The Dickey E-Racer, also called the Sierra Delta E-Racer, is an American homebuilt aircraft that was designed by Shirl Dickey and produced by Shirl Dickey Enterprises of Phoenix, Arizona, first flown in 1984. When it was available the aircraft was supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction, with some parts available to facilitate faster construction.[1][2]

E-Racer
Modified E-Racer
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Shirl Dickey Enterprises
Designer Shirl Dickey
First flight 1984
Status Production completed
Number built at least 15
Developed from Rutan Long-EZ

Design and development

The aircraft is based upon the Rutan Long-EZ. It features a cantilever mid-wing canard layout with tip rudders, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fully retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft is made from E-glass. Its 26.2 ft (8.0 m) span wing has a wing area of 94.00 sq ft (8.733 m2) and employs a Roncz R1145MS airfoil at the wing root, transitioning to an Eppler 1230 mod airfoil at the wingtip. The standard engine used in the Mark 1 is the 240 hp (179 kW) Buick V-8 automotive conversion powerplant.[1][3]

The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 1,000 lb (450 kg) and a gross weight of 1,800 lb (820 kg), giving a useful load of 700 lb (320 kg). With full fuel of 46 U.S. gallons (170 L; 38 imp gal) the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is 424 lb (192 kg).[1]

Like most canard designs the E-Racer has a long take-off and landing roll. The standard day, sea level take-off roll is 1,200 ft (366 m). The landing roll is 1,500 ft (457 m).[1][2]

At one time pre-fabricated wings and canard were available to speed construction. The manufacturer estimates the construction time from the supplied plans as 2000 hours.[1][2]

Operational history

By 1998 the company reported that four aircraft were flying and six by 1999.[1][2]

In December 2013, 15 examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[4]

Variants
E-Racer Mark 1
Initial version powered by a 240 hp (179 kW) Buick V-8 automotive conversion powerplant[1]
E-Racer Mark 2
Later version powered by aircraft engine powerplants[1][2]
King Racer
Later version with a larger cockpit[2]

Specifications (E-Racer Mark 1)

Data from AeroCrafter, The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage and KitPlanes[1][2][3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 16 ft 9.6 in (5.121 m)
  • Wingspan: 26 ft 2.4 in (7.986 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 9.6 in (2.377 m)
  • Wing area: 94.00 sq ft (8.733 m2)
  • Airfoil: root: Roncz R1145MS tip: Eppler 1230 mod
  • Empty weight: 1,100 lb (499 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,800 lb (816 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 46 U.S. gallons (170 L; 38 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Buick V-8, water-cooled, four stroke automotive conversion engine, 240 hp (180 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 250 mph (400 km/h, 220 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 225 mph (362 km/h, 196 kn)
  • Range: 1,000 mi (1,600 km, 870 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
  • Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (13 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 19.1 lb/sq ft (93 kg/m2)

References
  1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 146. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  2. Downey, Julia: 1999 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 16, Number 1, January 1999, page 57. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  4. Federal Aviation Administration (23 December 2013). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 23 December 2013.
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