E-plane SSDR

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A new, de-regulated class was introduced in the UK in early 2007 and, in response, the UK's Light Aircraft Association launched a design competition. Giotto Castelli and Tony Bishop in Cambridge, UK, won this competition with their e-plane design. The e-plane is a canard aircraft that greatly improves safety at low speeds. It is designed to be very efficient and fuel efficient.

The e-plane, simulated on x-plane.
The e-plane, simulated on x-plane.

Contents

[edit] Design

The rules require that the empty weight is less than 115 Kg, the wing loading at empty weight less than 10 Kg/m2 and stall speed less than 35 kts. It has to be a single-seater.

The e-plane is powered by a Hirth F33 of 27HP, and is designed to cruise at over 100 kts, climb at over 1000 ft/min and fly more than 450 nm. It can fly from small airfields - less than 300 m.

The pilot sits in a semi-reclined seat and controls the e-plane with a side-stick controller situated on the right-hand console. The twin tail's wing-tip rudders can be deflected outwards to act as auxiliary airbrakes. The aircraft will not stall like a conventional aircraft since, at low speed, the front (canard) wing stalls first and lowers the aircraft nose until speed is regained. The plane nods steadily until the stick is pushed forward.

The structure is an ultra-lightweight carbon fibre monocoque, with some foam stiffening. It is designed using a 3D modeller (Catia), and analysed using finite element NASTRAN computational fluid dynamic programs and the X-Plane (simulator). The shapes are cut from high-density foam which are used to make glass-fibre moulds. Pre-preg carbon fibre is used to minimise weight, and cured in an oven.

[edit] Specifications

E-plane fuselage.
E-plane fuselage.
  • Fuel capacity: 20 l
  • Typical empty weight: 110 kg
  • Cruise speed: 100 kts
  • Range (at cruise speed): 450 nm
  • Max. Speed (level flight): 115 kts
  • Take-off roll: 100 m


[edit] Dimensions

  • Wing Span/Area: 8.0 m
  • Canard Span/Area: 3.6 m
  • Total Wing Area: 11.5 m2
  • Length: 3.3 m
  • Height: 1.6 m
  • Cockpit Width: 0.65 m


[edit] External links

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