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David McRae of X-Air LS from Redmond Oregon was at the U.S. Sport Aviation
with the X-Air LS light sport aircraft. Dave is currently working on LSA
certification for the X-Air LS and expects to have it in place by April
2008. Dave has a background in aviation having worked most of his
professional carrier for a FAR 23 aircraft manufacturer, and operating
an FBO facility. He has also traveled to India to visit the X-Air
manufacturing facility. It is planned the X-Air LLC will be
manufacturing the X-Air in the U.S. with parts being supplied from
India.
The planes will be manufactured, assembled and tested in Oregon. The
plane will be available in as a kit and as a ready to fly craft under
the lightsport aircraft program. Power for the X-Air LS is provided by
the Jabiru 2200, 85 HP, 4 cylinder, 4 stroke, direct drive air cooled
engine.
The X-Air LS uses an aluminum tube bolt together construction covered
in dacron sail cloth. It features side by side seating, with dual stick
and rudder controls, and left hand throttles. The flap handle and
elevator trim are located centrally overhead and both are manually
operated.
Ground steering is via a steerable nosewheel. Disc brakes are located
on the pilot side and are cable activated. Suspension on the main is via
a shock absorbing bungee cord system while the nosewheel features a coil
spring arrangement.
The fuel selector switch is located to the right of the pilot seat
but is easily accessible for by either pilot. The fuel tank is located
behind the right hand seat and is monitored through the Dynon D 10
system. The standard instrument panel features basic flight instruments
and the ICOM A 200 radio, and the Dynon D10 engine monitoring system.
The well padded seats are fully adjustable for and aft. The plane
gets off the ground in under 300 feet with a climb rate of 800 feet per
minute. Stall comes in at under 40 mph at full gross.
The X-Air LS provides excellent visibility with a large windshield,
glass panel doors, and an overhead skylight.
Dave expects that once up and running the factory will be able to
produce about 4 aircraft per month, from the 3500 area production
facility located in Redmond Oregon.
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