Photograph:
Raj Hamsa X-Air 19-3123 (c/n 356) at Goulburn, NSW (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
France
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 48 kw (65 hp) Hirth 2706 two-cylinder two-stroke in-line air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9.80 m (32 ft 1¾ in)
- Length: 5.65 m (18 ft 6½ in)
- Height: 2.55 m (8 ft 4½ in)
- Wing area: 16.00 m² ((172.2 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 120 km/h (75 mph)
- Economical cruising speed at sea level: 100 km/h (62 mph)
- Stalling speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Max rate of climb: 190 m/min (591 ft/min)
- Ceiling: 3,660 m (12,000 ft)
- Endurance: 3 hours
- Take-off run: 70 m (230 ft)
- Landing run: 70 m (230 ft)
- Empty weight: 240 kg (529 lb)
- Loaded weight: 410 kg (903 lb)
History:
The X-Air was designed in France and launched on the market in kit form in 1993. It is a conventional three-axis control aircraft which is usually registered in the microlight / ultralight category. More than 500 examples have been exported around the world. Kits are manufactured at Bangalore in India and shipped to constructors. Seating is for two side-by-side with a tractor configuration engine and a tricycle undercarriage. The cockpit can be semi-open, or fully enclosed with optional doors. Construction is of aluminium alloy tubing covered with Dacron sailcloth.
A variety of engines may be installed, most aircraft being fitted with engines from the Rotax range. The X-Air 602T has the Rotax 582 engine; the X-Air 604T has the HKS 700E engine of 45 kw (60 hp); and the X-Air 702T has the AMW 540L70 engine which provides 52 kw (70 hp). Other engines installed include the 37 kw (49.6 hp) Rotax 503UL-2V, the 48 kw (64 hp) 582UL and the 56 kw (75 hp) Rotax 618, but a number have been fitted with the 48 kw (65 hp) Hirth 2706. The type has proved popular in this region and a number have been completed both in Australia and New Zealand.
A further model has been made available, this being the X-Air F, the ‘F’ meaning a model with flaps, it having three-stage flaps installed. The wing also differs from the standard aircraft in having a new profile to increase cruising speed. Commencing in July 2000 an X-Air was flown around Australia by Larry and Aren Musarra, the trip taking five months. Examples registered in Australia under RAA regulations include 19-3123, 19-3645, 19-3374, 19-3612, 19-3289, 19-3231, 19-3424, 19-3366, 19-3348, 19-5452, 19-3994, 19-3155, 19-3938, 19-3285 and 19-3229.