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After a number of years and of research and development
Airborne introduced a new trike designed around the Rotax 912 series of
engines called the Airborne 912 XT. Due to the increased weight of the 912
engines a new trike had to be designed that kept the center of mass lower
in the airframe, and a new wing had to be developed to handle the
additional horsepower. Once the 912 XT had
completed it's certification program, and a number were delivered to
customers, the feedback was that the craft was excellent, BUT with the 912
was a little expensive.
The factory then decided to refit the XT with the
new Rotax 65 HP Bluehead 582 twin cylinder two stroke aircraft engine.
With
the lower weight and horsepower it was also decided to design a new cruise
wing for th XT 582, which has a higher lift and slightly slower cruise than
the Streak 3 than would normally be found on the 912 series of craft.
The XT 582 with the new Cruise wing cruises at 50 to 55
knots, climb comes in at a comfortable 750 to 800 feet per minute. The XT
series of trikes is only offered as a factory built ready to fly unit. The
major reason for this is the certification, and quality control process it
has to go through in Australia. Each aircraft is individually certified,
and test flown before it leaves the factory.
The units are then broken down for shipping to dealers.
Aircraft being delivered to the U.S. have their rear suspension and
propeller removed and then are well packed into wooded boxes which are
designed to be moved by forklifts. The wings are broken down into 12 to 14
foot bag for transport.
Once in the U.S. dealers reassemble them and on
completion send an assembly check form back to the factory. These dealers
then ensure that the new owners are properly trained on their craft.
The Airborne X series of trikes come with digital
instrumentation, which gives readouts on all temperatures, pressures, fuel
flows, and analog airspeed indicator.
U.S. Airborne Distributor Scott Johnson has been working
with Airborne Australia for over twelve years, and was trained by the
factory. He operates a full service flight park out of Asotin Washington,
offering flight training, hangars, tie down, camping facilities. In
addition he offers training at clients facilities as well.
The Airborne X series meet the requirements for Light
Sport Aircraft. |
