Murphy Elite

Elite
Role Kit aircraft
National origin Canada
Manufacturer Murphy Aircraft
Introduction April 1996
Status In production
Number built 25 (2011)[1]
Unit cost
US$75,000-85,000 (completed aircraft, 2011)[1]
Developed from Murphy Rebel

The Murphy Elite is a Canadian light aircraft that was designed and is produced by Murphy Aircraft of Chilliwack, British Columbia. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2][3][4][5]

When it was introduced in April 1996 it was originally known as the Rebel Elite.[3][4]

Design and development

The Elite was originally designed as a tricycle gear version of the Murphy Rebel, although it is now also offered with conventional landing gear as an option. It also incorporated some improvements over the Rebel, including a reinforced airframe, cantilever tailplane with a one-piece elevator, all-metal control surfaces, split configuration flaps, and upgraded wing attachment points and leading edges. This enabled the design to achieve a gross weight of 1,800 lb (816 kg), and to mount engines of up to 180 hp (134 kW). The Elite features a strut-braced high-wing, three seats, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2][5]

The aircraft is made from aluminum sheet. Its 30.3 ft (9.2 m) span wing is supported by single lift struts. The occupants are accommodated in an enclosed cabin of 44 in (111.8 cm) width, with doors for access and egress. With a standard empty weight of 1,100 lb (499 kg) and a gross weight of 1,800 lb (816 kg), the Elite has a useful load of 700 lb (318 kg). Acceptable power range is 115 to 180 hp (86 to 134 kW), and recommended engines include the 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360, 150 to 160 hp (112 to 119 kW) Lycoming O-320 and the 115 hp (86 kW) Lycoming O-235.[1][6]

Construction time from the factory kit is estimated at 1400 hours. The Elite can be operated on wheels, including tundra tires, skis and floats.[1][4]

Specifications (Elite)

Data from Kitplanes and company[1][6][7]

General characteristics

Performance

Related development


References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 61. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. 1 2 Patterson AeroSales (2009). "Elite". Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  3. 1 2 Downey, Julia: 1999 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 16, Number 1, January 1999, page 58. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  4. 1 2 3 Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 212. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  5. 1 2 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 112. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  6. 1 2 Patterson AeroSales (2007). "Murphy Elite Specifications". Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  7. Patterson AeroSales (2007). "Murphy Elite Performance". Retrieved 7 December 2011.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Murphy Elite.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, June 23, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.