Country of origin:

Australia

Description:

Single-seat amateur-built sport monoplane

Power Plant:

One 134 kw (180 hp) Lycoming O-360 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

In the early 1980s a company known as Aero Composite of Bankstown, NSW announced through the magazine Airsport that it was proposing to build a homebuilt aircraft, the object being to produce the basic aircraft components as a kit of parts such that amateur builders could produce a high-performance aircraft at affordable costs. “The materials and manufacturing techniques were said to be the most modern available for the particular usage, and there are no other aircraft being manufactured in Australia using these techniques.”

The Company stated that the techniques had been evolved in German-built sailplanes but they did not offer the aircraft in kits and they did not use the same resin system that would be used in the Brumby. The amateur category was selected as a means of becoming established in Australia as an aircraft manufacturer and in this area flight testing criteria was simplified. The long term plan was for the Company to produce the kit and build a financial basis to support development for the commercial market. The basic timetable was to build a prototype; undertake ground and flight testing; gain certification for amateur construction; manufacture and market kit parts. Eventually the Company would produce a training model and gain certification of it for the training market. Later it would investigate military applications and bid for military contracts.

The companies involved in the design of the aircraft were Aero Composite in conjunction with Spectrum Technology Pty Ltd, this company having approvals to carry out all phases of work on aircraft. A further two designs were on the drawing board for future development, one being a high-performance type with possible military applications, and a low-cost training sailplane to replace ageing types such as the Blanik.

It was indicated a number of engines could be fitted to the aircraft, ranging in power from 82 kw (110 hp) to 134 kw (180 hp). Comparisons were made between aircraft fitted with such engines, the Brumby with the 134 kw (180 hp) engine being said to have a flight speed of 374 km/h (235 mph) and, using 139 litres (30.6 Imp gals), would have a range of 1,753 km (1,089 miles) using fuel at a rate of 12.5 km per litre (35.6 miles per Imp gallon). Other comparisons were given, such as the Brumby being able to fly 1,753 km (1,089 miles) in 9.5% less time than it would take a Cessna 152 to fly 920 km (572 miles).

The 82 kw (110 hp) model was to have a fixed undercarriage, a fixed pitch propeller and a larger wingspan; whereas the 134 kw (180 hp) model was to have a retractable tricycle undercarriage and a variable pitch propeller. In the event, it seems no prototype was completed and the project did not proceed further.