Raj Hamsa X-Air

The Raj Hamsa X-Air is an Indian, two-seat, high-wing, tricycle gear, tractor configuration, ultralight aircraft produced by Raj Hamsa Ultralights of Bangalore, Karnataka in kit form, for amateur construction.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

X-Air
X-Air "S"
Role Kit aircraft
National origin India
Manufacturer Raj Hamsa Ultralights
Designer Piero Mezzapezza & Joel Koechlin
Introduction 1993
Produced 1993-present
Number built 804 (December 2011)[1]
Developed from Chotia Weedhopper
Variants X-Air Hanuman
X-Air "S"
X-Air "S"
X-Air "S"
X-Air Hanuman variant

Design and development

The X-Air started as a development of the Chotia Weedhopper redesigned to incorporate ailerons and an enclosed cabin. After initial production in Europe manufacturing was shifted to Raj Hamsa in India. In many countries the aircraft is known as the Rand Kar X-Air. In the USA it is sometimes referred to as the Light Wing X-Air. The aircraft was later developed into the more conventional X-Air Hanuman, which relocated the engine from the upper keel tube to the nose.[2][3][4][7][8]

The X-Air is built from bolted aluminium tubing, mated to a central welded steel cockpit cage. The wings and tail surfaces are covered in pre-sewn Dacron sailcloth envelopes. The aircraft is built around its keel, a large tube that runs from the high-mounted engine in the front to the tail in the back. The wings are supported by V-struts with jury struts. The landing gear incorporates oleo shock absorbers on all three wheels. The nosewheel is steerable and mainwheel brakes are standard. Dual controls are standard, but cockpit doors are optional. The cockpit has been criticized by reviewer Andre Cliche as "a bit difficult to access".[2]

The X-Air can be fitted with either floats or skis. Engines from 50 to 75 hp (37 to 56 kW) can be fitted, provided they weigh under 120 lb (54 kg). The construction time is estimated at 40 hours.[2][5]

Operational history

Due to its low price and BCAR Section "S" certification the X-Air has proven popular in the United Kingdom.[4]

An X-Air has been used as a testbed for the prototype D-Motor LF26 flathead engine.[9]

Variants
X-Air "S" (Standard)
Initial version, certified under UK BCAR Section "S" as a microlight. Standard engine is the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 and the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL, 85 hp (63 kW) Jabiru 2200 and the 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E four-stroke powerplants are also used. The design is popular in the UK, especially with the Jabiru engine.[5][6][7][10][11]
X-Air "F" Gumnam
Improved version, aerodynamically cleaned up, extended fuselage with baggage compartment, Lexan doors and wheel pants are standard. The wing is 1 m (39 in) shorter, with a higher aspect ratio, 100% double surface, flaps and a NACA 4412 airfoil. Certified under UK BCAR Section "S" as a microlight and marketed in the UK as the X-Air Falcon. Standard engine is the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582, although the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 or 85 hp (63 kW) Jabiru 2200 four-stroke engine can be used.[4][7][11][12]
X-Air "H" Hanuman
Development version, with nose-mounted 85 hp (63 kW) Jabiru 2200 four-stroke engine.[4][7]

Specifications (X-Air "S")

Data from Raj Hamsa[10]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 5.65 m (18 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.80 m (32 ft 2 in)
  • Height: 2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)
  • Empty weight: 240 kg (529 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 13 U.S. gallons (49 L; 11 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin-cylinder, two-stroke, aircraft engine, 48 kW (64 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed ground adjustable

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
  • Stall speed: 45 km/h (28 mph, 24 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 3,700 m (12,000 ft)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 9:1
  • Rate of climb: 3.0 m/s (590 ft/min)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, pages 76-77. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-112. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  3. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 363. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  4. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, pages 155-156. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  5. Downey, Julia: 2001 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 12, December 2000, page 70. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  6. Downey, Julia: 2002 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, page 62. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  7. Downey, Julia: 2005 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 68. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  8. Raj Hamsa Ultralights (n.d.). "Raj Hamsa Company Profile". Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  9. D-Motor (n.d.). "X-air test plane". Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  10. Raj Hamsa Ultralights (n.d.). "X-Air "S"". Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  11. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 128. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  12. Raj Hamsa Ultralights (n.d.). "X-Air "F"". Retrieved 16 February 2011.
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