Aero Concepts Discovery
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Role | Amateur-built aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Aero Concepts |
| Designer | Martin Hollmann |
| Introduction | mid-1990s |
| Status | In production (2011) |
| Number built | 3 |
| Unit cost |
US$35,000 (kit, 2011) |
The Aero Concepts Discovery is an American amateur-built aircraft, produced by Aero Concepts of Florida. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]
Design and development
The Discovery is a three lifting surface aircraft that features a cantilever mid-wing, a twin boom high tail, a canard surface, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]
The aircraft is made from composites. Its 30 ft (9.1 m) span wing employs a NASA NLF-0215 airfoil and has an area of 125 sq ft (11.6 m2). The canard uses the same airfoil, while the tailplane uses a NASA 63218. The aircraft's recommended engine power range is 160 to 230 hp (119 to 172 kW) and standard engines used include the 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 four-stroke powerplant. Construction time from the supplied kit is 1200 hours.[1][2]
The company plans to develop the design into a light-sport aircraft, a jet-powered version and four-seat variant as well.[2]
Operational history
By the end of 2011 three examples had been reported as completed and flown.[1]
Specifications (Discovery)
Data from Kitplanes[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 17.9 ft (5.5 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft (9.1 m)
- Wing area: 125 sq ft (11.6 m2)
- Empty weight: 860 lb (390 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,620 lb (735 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 30 U.S. gallons (110 L; 25 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 180 hp (130 kW)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 225 mph (196 kn; 362 km/h)
- Stall speed: 58 mph (50 kn; 93 km/h)
- Range: 650 mi (565 nmi; 1,046 km)
- Rate of climb: 2,300 ft/min (12 m/s)
- Wing loading: 13.0 lb/sq ft (63 kg/m2)