Quicksilver GT500

The Quicksilver GT500 is a family of American strut-braced, high-wing, pusher configuration, tricycle gear aircraft built by Quicksilver Aeronautics of Temecula, California. The aircraft is available as a kit for amateur construction or as a completed ready-to-fly aircraft.[1][2]

Quicksilver GT500
GT500
Role Kit aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Quicksilver Manufacturing
Designer David Cronk
Introduction 1990
Status In production
Produced 1990-present
Number built 450 (GT500 2011)

Design and development

The GT500 was developed specifically for the Sportplane class of the primary aircraft category (Part 21.24 of the Federal Aviation Regulations) and, on 26 July 1994, became the first aircraft certified in that category. Reviewer Noel Bertrand wrote, "[It] may sound like a very dry achievement, but actually speaks volumes for its design integrity. Not surprisingly its flight behaviour is excellent."[3][4][5][6]

The aircraft's nomenclature is unclear as the manufacturer refers to it variously as the GT500, GT 500 and the GT-500. The FAA certification officially calls it the GT500.[3][4][7]

The GT500 is constructed from aluminium tubing, which is bolted together. The aircraft is covered in pre-sewn Dacron envelopes, with the forward fuselage made from fiberglass. The wing features half-span ailerons and half-span flaps. The GT500 has two seats in tandem, with dual controls featuring control columns with yokes.[3][8][1] A 1991 upgrade included optional doors that are zippered into place adding 10 kn (19 km/h) of cruise speed, steel landing gear legs with dual brakes and an electric starter.[9]

Variants
GT400
Single-seat version equipped with a 40 horsepower (30 kW) Rotax 447 two-stroke or 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 two-stroke engine. Standard empty weight is 276 pounds (125 kg) and gross weight is 570 pounds (259 kg). Originally marketed as the GT. Estimated construction time from the kit is 70 hours and 530 had been completed and flown by 2011.[10][8][5][11][12][13][14][15][16][1][17]
GT500
Two-seats-in-tandem version powered by a 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-stroke or a 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL four-stroke. The now out-of-production 74 hp (55 kW) Rotax 618 two-stroke was a previously available option. Other options include floats, a ballistic parachute system and crop dusting system. Estimated construction time from the kit is 185 hours and 450 had been completed and flown by 2011. The GT500 is certified in the US primary aircraft category, but only when equipped with the Rotax 582 powerplant.[10][3][7][8][5][11][12][13][14][15][16][1][6]

Specifications (GT500)

Data from Manufacturer[7] and Type Certificate[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m)
  • Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
  • Wing area: 155 sq ft (14.4 m2)
  • Empty weight: 575 lb (261 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 16 U.S. gallons (61 L; 13 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, 64 hp (48 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed carbon fiber ground adjustable, 6 ft (1.8 m) diameter pitch range 17 to 19°

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 88 mph (142 km/h, 76 kn) with doors installed
  • Cruise speed: 79 mph (127 km/h, 69 kn) with doors installed
  • Stall speed: 39 mph (63 km/h, 34 kn) flaps down, power off
  • Never exceed speed: 103 mph (166 km/h, 90 kn)
  • Range: 215 mi (346 km, 187 nmi) with doors installed
  • Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (3,800 m)
  • g limits: +6.0/-3.0 ultimate
  • Maximum glide ratio: 7.5:1 with doors installed
  • Rate of climb: 650 ft/min (3.3 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 6.45 lb/sq ft (31.5 kg/m2)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 70. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 75. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-95. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  4. Quicksilver Manufacturing (n.d.). "Aircraft". Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  5. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 155. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  6. Federal Aviation Administration (June 1995). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. TA1CH" (PDF). Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  7. Quicksilver Manufacturing (n.d.). "GT500". Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  8. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 228. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  9. Jim Thompson (April 1991). "Quicksilver updates". Air Progress.
  10. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 67. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  11. Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 64. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  12. Downey, Julia: 2001 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 69. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  13. Downey, Julia: 2002 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, pages 61 and 85. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  14. Newby-Gonzalez, Tori: 2004 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 12, December 2003, page 74. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  15. Downey, Julia: 2005 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 75. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  16. Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 67. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  17. Quicksilver Manufacturing (n.d.). "GT 400". Retrieved February 9, 2011.
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