Photograph:
Titan Tornado II 19-3056 (c/n D95912SOHF019O) at The Oaks, NSW in July 2006 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light touring and sporting aircraft
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.19 m (23 ft 6 in ft)
- Length: 5.79 m (19 ft)
- Height: 2.59 m (8 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 10.03 m² (108 sq ft)
- Max speed: 193 km/h (120 mph)
- Cruising speed: 161 km/h (100 mph)
- Stalling speed: 56 km/h (35 mph)
- Rate of climb: 305 m/min (1,000 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)
- Range: 695 km (432 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 38 litres (8.3 imp gals)
- Take-off run: 91 m (300 ft)
- Landing run: 76 m (250 ft)
- Empty weight: 272 kg (600 lb)
- Loaded weight: 590 kg (1,300 lb)
History:
The Tornado was marketed in kit form by Titan Aircraft of Geneva, Oklahoma, in a variety of models. The Tornado I was fitted with a 37 kw (50 hp) Rotax 503 two-cylinder, two-stroke, engine and had a gross weight of 340 kg (750 lb). The Tornado II had a 55 kw (74 hp) two-cylinder, two stroke, liquid-cooled Rotax 618 engine and seated two. The Tornado 912 was a two-seater with higher performance and had a gross weight of 454 kg (1,000 lb). The Tornado U/L was designed to meet FAR Part 103 regulations and was a single-seater with a 21 kw (28 hp) Rotax 277 engine. It had a gross weight of 249 kg (550 lb) and was aimed at the ultralight market.
Fitted with a tricycle undercarriage, the Tornado series was built of metal and composite construction with fabric covering. It had an all aluminium cantilever wing with a high lift and low-drag aerofoil and was aimed at the easy-to-build market. One of the Rotax series of engines was usually installed, although other engines in the 30 kw (40 hp) to 60 kw (80 hp) range could be fitted. A range of options was available, including detachable wing tanks, electrical systems, lighting, external air vents, carpeting etc. Some hundreds have been built around the world.
Quite a few examples have been built in this region and most have been registered under AUF / RAA Regulations. However, one has been placed on the Australian civil register, becoming VH-YGS (c/n D9558250HK0140) in December 1998 in Claremont, WA.