Excalibur
experimental amateurbuilt lightsport aircraft, Excalibur experimental lightsport aircraft, Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News
newsmagazine.
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Light Sport Aircraft Pilot is a directory of aircraft that generally fit
into what are described as ultralight aircraft, advanced ultralight
aircraft,
light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, experimental
aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt
aircraft in the United States and Canada. These include
weight shift aircraft, more commonly known as trikes,
powered parachutes, and powered para-gliders.
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Excalibur
experimental amateurbuilt light sport aircraft, experimental
lightsport, amateur built aircraft.
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One of the best kept secrets
on the experimental amateurbuilt lightsport aircraft market
has to be a little tandem seating aircraft out of Florida
called the Excalibur.
The plane uses bolt and rivet together aluminum tube construction covered
in conventional aircraft fabric covering materials. The kit
which takes the average builder about 150 hours to complete.
The builder is basically responsible for covering the plane,
installing the engine, instruments, landing gear and paint.
No actual fabrication of parts is necessary with all parts
factory built in precise jigs, and all welding done. When
finished the builder has one of the largest choices of
engine packages available in aircraft of this category.
Power starts with the Rotax 503, 582, and 912. |
Ad Code TwoHere |
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Also available is the Jabiru 4 cylinder 85 HP
direct drive air cooled engine. The full line to Hirth
engines starting from 55 HP on up. Another popular engine
line is the HKS 65 and 80 horse four strokes. If it is out
there and powering a lightsport aircraft, then it is
probably flying somewhere on an Excalibur.
The Excalibur has undergone a number of
changes over the last year or so. The most noticeable is the
fact that the plane now sits level on all three wheels
when the pilot exits it. In previous models the plane would
rest back on it's tail. For pilots still wanting that look
and feel the plane still comes with both attach points. Another recent
change is the addition of a spring loaded trailing link
suspension system on the front wheel, which compliments the
bungee cord suspension system found on the main gear.
The Excalibur has always used push pull
tubes to operate the elevator and ailerons. This year a push
pull tube was added to activate the rudder. This is very
similar to what is found in many conventional aircraft, and
means that the Excalibur no longer has cables operating any
of it's control systems. In the past the Excalibur has been
available in both a narrow and a wide body, as of 2011 all
Excalibur's coming out of the factory will feature the 30
inch wide aircraft fuselage. This means that both the front
and back pilots now have a very large and comfortable
seating area.
The controls system features dual rudder
pedals, with dual center mounted control sticks. Hydraulic
brakes are supplied in the kit and are activated via a brake
lever handle on the pilot's stick. Aircraft grade seat belts
and should harness ensure pilot safety in the event of a
mishap.
For less than $24,000 (in 2011) plus
paint, instruments and 150 hours of labour a pilot can have
an Excalibur up and flying. Options include doors, electric
flaps, floats, and a BRS parachute.
While at the factory I noticed something
hidden off to one corner, apparently the folks from
Excalibur are working on a couple of NEW designs. The plan
is to come out with a twin engine design, using engines
mounted on each side of the plane above the wings. Apparently
Hirth can supply him with an engine that can be rigged to run
backwards, thus giving counter rotating engines, which eliminates
some of the design hassle of two engines spinning the same
way.
Apparently consideration is also being
given to a push me, pull me model as well. So if your in the
market for a economical twin engine in the experimental
amateurbuilt light sport aircraft you might want to give Tom
Karr a call.
For more information
on the Excalibur contact:
EXCALIBUR AIRCRAFT
6439 Tractor Road
Sebring, Fla. 33872
863 - 385 - 9486
www.excaliburaircraft.com |
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Excalibur light sport aircraft -
experimental lightsport aircraft |
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