Xpedition 2, 4 and 5 project

[stefan]

Thought I would just mention on AVCOM also our latest developments. See our facebook page as well as microlighters for regular updates

http://www.microlighters.co.za/viewtopi ... 29&t=19803

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kitplanes ... 0049636122



Xpedition 2, 4 and 5 project- A true 4 seater for Africa ..Specs updated 11 Jan 13

We have decided to name the new aircraft the Xpedition. With the range number 2,4 or 5. These will be kit build aircraft for the moment. The prototype should be flying by end of 2013 with the first kits going out early 2014.

Current specs
Target kit price excluding upholstery, engine, prop and avionics but the rest of the kit will be complete - R250 000-300 000 depending on model chosen, excl VAT and could be bought in stages.
For a fly away plane we are looking at under R900k and a complete kit including avionics, engine, prop and upholstery @ about R650k
- Looking for take off in less than 200m at full gross with the right engine at sea level
- Taildragger and tri-gear with interchangeable landing gear. Developing taildragger first.
- Cruise - 145kts with 260hp 125-130kts with 235hp 110kts for the 160hp 2 seat version
- Stall 40kts
- Engine range - 160hp for 2 seater and for 4/5 seater 180-260hp
Our engine choice will be the lexus V8 auto conversion with 256hp - 290hp. from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_UZ_engine
Fuel consumption on the Lexus is reported as less than 40 l/hr which should give us a 5 hour plus endurance,
- Seating - 2+2 or 2+3 Can be configured as a 2 seater with a massive cargo area. ( For the adventurers)
- Doors - 3
- Luggage - massive
- Wings - High wing, strut braced. Wings either fabric covered or alli ( we are still working on this). At the moment we are looking at fabric as it is the lightest option.
- Wingspan 10m
- Wing Area - 17m2
- Lenght 7.5m
- Fuselage - Fabric covered
- Empty weight (calculated) - 500-600kg depending on engine and options. 550kg being the target.
- MAUW - 1200kg for 4/5 seater and MAUW 900kg for the 2 seater.
- Fuel - 200 liter ( Still working on this one size will depend on final engine choice.
The aircarft will be available as a 2, 4 or 5 seater. The 5 seater will have a bench seat for the rear passangers and will be able to accomodate 3 kids up to roughly 10 years of age.

Cabin width at shoulders for pilot seats - 51 inch or 1300mm
Cabin width rear seats at shoulders - 42 inch or 1070mm
Canbin leght from firewall to rear of luggage bay - 2820mm


And remember - BUSHPILOTS FLY TAILDRAGGERS

[Donovan]

Hi Stefan

Nice to see it's public. Looking forward to seeing the results. See you next week.

Regards Don

[stefan]

I think we are doing quite well considering we started last week wednesday. So effectively we have completed the fuselage basic construction in 8 days from scratch. Still a long way to go but atleast I can see the progress on a daily basis. Some pics.

[Avgas]

mooi sover.

[MarkB]

How about a aerobatic capable 2 seater

Regards
Mark

[stefan]

On the cards. in order of development.
1 - 4 seater
2 - Small Crop sprayer
3 - Aerobatic 2 seater Safari or Explorer with a new wing design ( No Flapperons) Will be called the Assegai ( Boet's name for it)

[Avgas]

Wie se gaai

[stefan]

Nee jong weet nie.

OK specs updated again.

[MarkB]

Sounds good

[Donovan]

Hi Stefan

Thank you for showing me around hanger, as well as the flip man i love flying!! I am sooooooooooooo looking forward to the Expedition 4. You guys are producing my dream aircraft. Please keep us updated.

Regards
Don

[stefan]

Glad you enjoyed flying the Safari. This one will be a beast....

[Donovan]

Just had a look at the lexus v8 again man it makes me drool!!

[stefan]

Can't wait for micsa to come and show off his Lexus installation. Aerostruct consulting under guidence of Francois Jordaan is our external engineers on this and other projects. We will discuss the engine and some other issues on Tuesday and Wednesday and then take it from there. Will keep you posted. Tomorrow we will start the tailfeathers.

[stefan]

Project on ice for the next 6 weeks or so while we move the factory and flight school to Gauteng

[stefan]

Jaco has been busy. The wing design is about 90% done. Just ironing some niggles. We managed to keep the construction simple using readily available local materials. Ribs will be composite with Alli tube spars (A bit of an overkill but cheap and available) We managed to make the slotted flapperons possible so as to retain the shortfield capibilities but reduce the drag of normal flapperons. I will try and add a 3d CAD view of the wing still in progress.

If all goes well we will order all the materials next week and start assembling the wings shortly after.