Photograph:
Skyfox Gazelle 24-3519 (c/n CA25N048 – ex VH-OWZ) at Moruya, NSW in January 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Two-seat light touring monoplane
Power Plant:
(CA-25N Gazelle)
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912A four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9.52 m (31 ft 4 in)
- Length: 5.60 m (18 ft 4½ in)
- Length [wings folded]: 6.57 m (21 ft 6½ in)
- Width [wings folded]: 2.40 m (7 ft 10½ in)
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 1½ in)
- Wing area: 11.60 m² (124.9 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 176 km/h (109 mph)
- Max cruising speed at 75% power: 157 km/h (98 mph)
- Economical cruising speed at 70% power: 149 km/h (93 mph)
- Stalling speed: 78 km/h (49 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 244 m/min (800 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,115 m (13,500 ft)
- Range: 598 km (371 miles)
- Take-off run: 110 m (360 ft)
- Landing run: 89 m (290 ft)
- Endurance at 92 km/h (57 mph): 7 hrs 24 mins
- Fuel capacity: 52 litres (11.4 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 309 kg (682 lb)
- Disposable load: 196 kg (432 lb)
- Loaded weight: 521 kg (1,150 lb)
History:
Following the success of the Kitfox in Australia, development of the series by Calair, a division of Hedaro International Pty Ltd, led to the CA-22, the first flight of this model being made on 22 June 1990, this being certificated to CAO 101.55 standard, followed by development of the JAR-VLA version known as the CA-25. In June 1993 this became the first Australian aircraft to be certificated under JAR-VLA (normal category) regulations, although it could be built for ultralight certification as an option. Production of both the CA-22 and CA-25 models continued, late in its life emphasis being placed on the CA-25 Gazelle, a model with tricycle undercarriage, and which was sold in some numbers to aero clubs.
The prototype of the CA-25N first flew on 17 December 1994 and was released in May 1995, certification to JAR-VLA being obtained in September 1995. By late 1987 186 examples of all models in the series had been built at the Company’s facility at Caloundra, QLD, this total including ten CA-25 Impalas with a tailwheel built in 1993-1994 before production switched to the tricycle undercarriage CA-25N. In 1997 one aircraft per week was leaving the production line.
First export of a CA-25 was to Switzerland (HB-SCE) which made a sales tour of Europe. This was followed by the first to the United Kingdom (G-IDAY). Production aircraft were for commercial flying training organisations where they replaced Cessna 150s, Piper Cherokees etc. At least 12 were sold in Thailand for forestry patrols, pilot training, and police support work.
In June 1997 the Company had some financial difficulties but these were solved by the injection of capital from an investor in the United Arab Emirates. However, production of the Gazelle concluded in 1998. Eventually most Gazelles were registered under the new Recreational Aircraft 24- prefix, others previously registered in the VH- general aviation classification being transferred to this category. At least 17 are known to have been exported.