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For just over three years now IndUS Aviation has been producing the T211
Thorpedo, and over that time the company has been continually refining
the plane. The craft was originally designed over 60 years ago by John
Thorp, to be an easy build, easy to fly, and easy to repair, two place
trainer for WWII pilots. According to Scott Severenson these qualities
have been retained in the new Lightsport Aircraft version of the plane.
What has changed is the "homebuilt" look. According to Scott "we have
had to learn the industry and react to consumer input."
To this end the front cowl of the Thorpedo which houses the 6
cylinder 120 HP aircooled Jabiru 3300 engine has been redesigned for a
sleeker look. This has also improved the efficiency of the engine
cooling, and aircraft performance.
Scott reports that the engine has a TBO of 2000 hours, and is very
smooth to operate, "you can put a cup of coffee on the cowl or wing tip
with the engine running and it will just sit there."
A boarding step has been added just in front of the wing making it
easy for pilots to enter or exit the plane.
Another update is an external power adapter plug has been added on
the pilot's side of the cowl, which allows for easy charging of the
battery, or jump starting. "The interior finish and instrument panel has
also undergone changes to better reflect what today's lightsport
aircraft customer wants."
Current production has been ramped up to about 3 planes a month, and a
dealer distributor network has been established across most of the U.S.
IndUS Aviation works out of a 22,000 square foot facility at the
Dallas Executive Airport. |
