Turbine Legend

The Turbine Legend is an American sports monoplane designed by Performance Aircraft for sale as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2][3]

Legend
Turbine Legend
Role Homebuilt sportplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Performance Aircraft
Legend Aircraft
First flight 1996
Number built 28 (March 2020)

Design and development

The Legend is a streamlined low-wing monoplane mainly constructed of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer.[1] It has swept-back tail surfaces with a mid-mounted tailplane and tapered wings, with optional winglets. The prototype was powered by a 575 hp (429 kW) Chevrolet V-8 engine with a three-bladed tractor propeller and a ventral air-scoop, the Turbine Legend has a 724 shp (540 kW) Walter M601 turboprop with a three-bladed tractor propeller.[1] The Legend has a retractable tricycle landing gear; the mainwheels retract inwards and the nosewheel rearwards.[1] The enclosed cockpit has room for two persons in tandem seats with dual controls and has a rear-hinged, upward-opening, canopy with a fixed windscreen.[1][2]

The Legend was first flown in 1996 by Performance Aircraft and the prototype was converted into a Turbine Legend in 1999.[1]

The assets of Performance Aircraft were taken over by Lanny Rundell to be marketed by Legend Aircraft of Winnsboro, Louisiana.[1]

Operational history

In a March 2020 review for Kitplanes, writer Doug Rozendaal described the takeoff: "the acceleration is like a jet fighter." He also praised the handling and the fit and finish of the design.[3]

Variants
Legend
Piston-engined variant, powered by a 575 shp (429 kW) Chevrolet V-8 automotive conversion piston engine.[1]
Turbine Legend
Turboprop-engined variant, powered by a 724 shp (540 kW) Walter M601 turboprop engine.[1]
JC 100
A Turbine Legend built by Toys 4 Boys in 2000, designated the JC 100[1]
Garrett Turbine Legend
Turbine Legend (Garrett Edition)
A Turbine Legend was built by Innovative Wings Inc. utilizing a 1,100 hp (820 kW) Garrett TPE331-10 engine.[4]
Turbine Legend Venom
A military version marketed by Venom Military Aircraft and intended for the training and light attack roles. It has a 750 shp (559 kW) GE H75 engine, major changes to the wing design, a carbon fiber composite structure, fuel capacity increased to 145 U.S. gallons (550 L; 121 imp gal), full digital panel, electric remote canopy, aft spar flaps system and electric Fowler flaps.[5] No sales have yet been announced.

Specifications (Turbine Legend)
Turbine Legend

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-2004.[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 25 ft 9 in (7.84 m)
  • Wingspan: 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 5 in (2.86 m)
  • Wing area: 101.0 sq ft (9.38 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 8.0
  • Empty weight: 2,050 lb (930 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,298 lb (1,496 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Walter M601 Turboprop, 720 hp (540 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Avia V 508E/84

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 356 mph (573 km/h, 309 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 334 mph (537 km/h, 290 kn) maximum at 25000 ft (7620 m)
  • Stall speed: 76 mph (123 km/h, 66 kn) landing configuration
  • Never exceed speed: 400 mph (643 km/h, 347 kn)
  • Range: 940 mi (1,520 km, 820 nmi) at max cruising speed with standard fuel and reserves
  • Service ceiling: 35,010 ft (10,670 m)
  • g limits: +6/-4
  • Rate of climb: 6,500 ft/min (33 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 32.67 lb/sq ft (159.5 kg/m2)

References

Notes
  1. Jackson 2003, p. 649
  2. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 59. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. Rozendaal, Doug (10 March 2020). "Kitplanes Flight Review: Turbine Legend". AVweb. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  4. "Innovative Wings Inc. - High Performance Experimental Aircraft Builder - Specialising in Composite Turbine Aircraft". innovativewings.com. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  5. "Venom Military Aircraft". venommilitaryaircraft.com. Retrieved 5 July 2015.

Bibliography
  • Jackson, Paul (2003). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-2004. Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.

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