Express Series 90

The Express Series 90 is an American homebuilt aircraft that was designed and produced by the Express Aircraft Company of Olympia, Washington, introduced in the late 1980s. When it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Series 90
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Express Aircraft Company
Introduction late 1980s
Status Production completed
Developed from Wheeler Express

Design and development

The Express Series 90 is a development of the earlier Wheeler Express. It incorporates a 20% larger tail which gives a wider center of gravity range. The larger tail also enhances pitch and yaw stability.[1]

The aircraft features a cantilever low-wing, a four-seat enclosed cabin, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]

The Series 90 is made from composites. Its 31.00 ft (9.4 m) span wing mounts flaps and has a wing area of 130.00 sq ft (12.077 m2). The cabin width is 46 in (120 cm). The standard engine used is the 300 hp (224 kW) Lycoming IO-540 four stroke, air-cooled, six cylinder powerplant.[1]

The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 1,840 lb (830 kg) and a gross weight of 3,200 lb (1,500 kg), giving a useful load of 1,360 lb (620 kg). With full fuel of 92 U.S. gallons (350 L; 77 imp gal) the payload for pilot, passengers and baggage is 808 lb (367 kg).[1]

The manufacturer estimated the construction time from the supplied kit as 2000 hours.[1]

Operational history

In December 2013 three examples were registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[2]

Specifications (Series 90)

Data from AeroCrafter[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: three passengers
  • Length: 25 ft 0 in (7.62 m)
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m)
  • Wing area: 130.0 sq ft (12.08 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,840 lb (835 kg)
  • Gross weight: 3,200 lb (1,451 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 92 U.S. gallons (350 L; 77 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-540 six cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 300 hp (220 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed constant speed propeller

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 210 mph (340 km/h, 180 kn)
  • Stall speed: 57 mph (92 km/h, 50 kn) flaps down
  • Range: 1,360 mi (2,190 km, 1,180 nmi)
  • Wing loading: 24.6 lb/sq ft (120 kg/m2)

References
  1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter – Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 152. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  2. Federal Aviation Administration (26 December 2013). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 26 December 2013.
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