Spartan DFD Aerotome
| Role | Ultralight trike |
|---|---|
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Spartan Microlights |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | 30 (February 2000) |
| Unit cost |
US$16,500 (2003 price) |
The Spartan DFD Aerotome, or DFS Aerotome Dual, is an American two-seat ultralight trike that was designed and produced by Spartan Microlights.[1][2][3]
Design and development
The aircraft was designed as a US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules two-seat trainer. It features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]
The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its single surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 36 ft (11.0 m) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame control bar. Unlike the Spartan DFS Trike the Aerotome uses only a trike delta wing and cannot be converted for powered parachute use.[1][3]
The standard engine supplied was the twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503, with a 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal) fuel tank. When in production it came with optional dual controls, aero-towing hardware, larger engines and 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) fuel tank. Thirty had been completed and flown by February 2000.[1][2]
Specifications (Aerotome)
Data from Kitplanes[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft (11 m)
- Height: 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Wing area: 190 sq ft (18 m2)
- Empty weight: 248 lb (112 kg)
- Gross weight: 750 lb (340 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal) standard
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 50 hp (37 kW)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 44 mph (38 kn; 71 km/h)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)
References
- 1 2 3 4 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-27. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- 1 2 3 Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 48. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
- 1 2 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 111. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X