Photograph:
Sundowner prototype 19-7663 at Temora, NSW in April 2011 (P J Ricketts)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Two-seat light sporting monoplane
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Great Plains Volkswagen four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air- cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.53 m (28 ft)
- Length: 6.03 m (19 ft 8 in)
- Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 11.70 m² (126 sq ft)
- Max speed (VNE): 194 km/h (121 mph)
- Fuel capacity: 50 litres (50 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 259 kg (570 lb)
- Loaded weight: 476 kg (1,050 lb)
History:
The T-2 Sundowner was a two-seat in tandem light sporting aircraft produced by Light Aero Australia, this company entering the field of producing light kit aircraft in 2010, and displaying the prototype of the T-2, incomplete, at the 2011 Natfly event at Temora. It was available in kit form or as a complete aircraft and was of all wood construction with fabric covering. It was fitted with a tailwheel undercarriage and full dual controls.
It was flown solo from the rear seat, and power plants in the 60 kw (80 hp) to 90 kw (120 hp) range could be installed. The prototype registered under RAA Rules was powered by a Great Plains conversion of the Volkswagen Aero-engine of 60 kw (80 hp). Fuel capacity was 50 litres (11 Imp gals) but an additional / optional 26 litre (5.5 Imp gal) tank could be fitted in each wing.
Further developments of the design proposed by the company include the LA-18-100, which basically was a full-size replica of the Piper Super Cub with folding wings, and the LA-17-100 being a replica of the Piper Vagabond with folding wings, offered with a tailwheel or a tricycle undercarriage.