Scaled Composites Boomerang

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The Scaled Composites Model 202 Boomerang is an aircraft designed by Burt Rutan, and built by his company, Scaled Composites. The purpose is to build a multi-engine airplane that does not become dangerously difficult to control in the event of a failure of a single engine. The result is an aircraft with a very asymmetrical design.

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[edit] Design and development

The Boomerang was designed around the specifications of the Beechcraft Baron 58, one of the best known and most sold twin engine civilian aircraft. The use of the asymmetrical design allows the Boomerang to fly faster and farther than the Baron can, while at the same using the same engines and seating just as many people[1]. The Boomerang is powered by two engines, with the right engine producing 14 hp (10.5 kW) more power than the left one (the engines are in fact the exact same model, just rated differently).

In 1997, avionics entrepreneur Ray Morrow and his son, Neil Morrow, founded an air taxi company. They settled on a modified version of Rutan's Boomerang design, which they designated the MB-300. They determined that the best business approach would be to manufacture the aircraft and run the air taxi services themselves. So Ray Morrow founded Morrow Aircraft Corporation and proceeded to design and manufacture the MB-300. In the meantime, they started the SkyTaxi company using Cessna 414s as interim aircraft.[2]. As of 2006, the status of Morrow Aircraft and the MB-300 airplane is not clear. In 1999, Morrow Aircraft Corporation applied to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States for a type certificate for the MB-300. In 2000, the FAA published a notice seeking comments on Morrow Aircraft's proposal to use an electronic engine control system (FADEC) in place of the engine's mechanical system.[3].

[edit] Specifications (Boomerang)

[edit] General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Capacity: 5 passengers, (1000 lb payload cabin)
  • Length: 30 ft 8 in (9.36 m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 8 in (11.12 m)
  • Height: ft in ( m)
  • Wing area: 102 ft² (9.5 m²)
  • Empty: lb ( kg)
  • Loaded: lb ( kg)
  • Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
  • Powerplant:
    • 1 × Lycoming TIO-360A1B, 200 hp (149 kW) (port)
    • 1 × Lycoming TIO-360C1A6D, 210 hp (157 kW) (center)

[edit] Performance

  • Maximum speed: 311 mph (530 km/h)
  • Range: 2,362 miles (3,780 km)
  • Service ceiling: ft ( m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,900 ft/min (579 m/min)
  • Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
  • Power/Mass:

[edit] Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:


Designation sequence:

  • Model 202

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sugar, Jim. "Boomerang!", Popular Mechanics, November 1, 1996. Retrieved on 2006-04-01. 
  2. ^ Ross, Robert. "Neil Morrow: From Snowboards to SkyTaxi", Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Winter, 2001. Retrieved on 2006-04-01. 
  3. ^ Federal Aviation Administration. (May 15 2000). "Special Conditions: Installation of Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) System on Morrow Aircraft Corporation Model MB-300 Airplane". Federal Register 65 (94): 30936-30938. Docket No. CE161; Notice No. 23-00-02-SC. 
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