Press and information release |
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Authorised by: Guy Gratton, Chief Technical Officer |
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Thursday, September 18, 2003 |
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Subject: Certification of Reality Escapade |
Today, the BMAA formally approved the first UK example of the Escapade – this was the second aircraft to fly (a prototype having done some flight testing in the USA) and the first aircraft to receive formal approval. This aircraft was designated an Escapade Jabiru(1), and was built by the developers, Reality Aircraft of Amesbury, Wiltshire. The aircraft was developed jointly by Reality, and their American partners Just Aircraft LLC of Idaho, USA from an earlier design, the Easy Raider – which has previously been approved by the BMAA.
The first UK example, G-ESCA uses a 2.2 litre Jabiru engine and Newton 60” wooden propeller. It can be configured in both tailwheel and nosegear variants – both having been assessed during a test programme led by BMAA Test Pilot Tom Porteous.
The aircraft is a side-by-side tractor high-wing aircraft with true dual controls. The seats are stressed for up to 120kg / 264lb individual occupant weight, and the aircraft is also fitted with a large baggage compartment with a 35kg / 77lb capacity. Fuel capacity is 80 litres / 18 Imp.gal / 21 US.gal.
The following verified performance has been determined for the aircraft (all values at ISA standard conditions, on a drt grass runway, clearing a 50ft obstacle):-
Nosewheel configuration
TODR
LDR
Climb
rate
365m
(281m unfactored)
299m
1000 ft – 710 fpm
2000 ft – 670 fpm
3000 ft-630 fpm
4000 ft- 590 fpm
Tailwheel configuration
TODR
LDR
Climb
rate
300m
(321m unfactored)
344m
1000 ft – 950 fpm
2000 ft – 760 fpm
3000 ft-630 fpm
4000 ft- 540 fpm
Glide performance is 7.5:1 at the best glide speed
of 47 kn CAS, which is also the best climb speed. Useable payload (including fuel) of the prototype is 195kg /
429lb but it is hoped that subsequent aircraft will be around 10kg / 22lb
lighter.
The aircraft is approved in the amateur built
category as a microlight aeroplane. It
is anticipated that BMAA will be giving approval for sales of kits in the next
few weeks, which is only subject to approval by BMAA of the build manuals.
For
further information:
Subject
Contact(s)
BMAA
Tel.
+44 (0)1869-338888
Email
general@bmaa.org
BMAA
Homebuilt Aircraft (type) Data Sheets
www.bmaa.org (select “technical information”
BMAA
Technical Office / aircraft approvals
Chief
Technical Officer, Guy Gratton
Email
cto@bmaa.org
Reality
Aircraft (UK)
http://www.realityaircraft.com/
Tel.
01980-625551 (Amesbury)
Just
Aircraft LLC (USA)
Tel.
208-454-3446 (Idaho)
The BMAA Technical Office is always glad to provide
assistance in the form of verified aircraft performance data, independently
checking details, etc. to journalists researching any aircraft in the BMAA
fleet of 140 approved microlight aeroplane types, or to prospective builders /
purchasers wishing to check on what is or can be approved on specific aircraft. A list of BMAA approved aircraft types, is
available at www.bmaa.org/021_1.pdf
|
TODR |
LDR |
Climb rate |
|
|
365m (281m unfactored) |
299m |
1000 ft – 710 fpm |
Tailwheel configuration
TODR
LDR
Climb
rate
300m
(321m unfactored)
344m
1000 ft – 950 fpm
2000 ft – 760 fpm
3000 ft-630 fpm
4000 ft- 540 fpm
Glide performance is 7.5:1 at the best glide speed
of 47 kn CAS, which is also the best climb speed. Useable payload (including fuel) of the prototype is 195kg /
429lb but it is hoped that subsequent aircraft will be around 10kg / 22lb
lighter.
The aircraft is approved in the amateur built
category as a microlight aeroplane. It
is anticipated that BMAA will be giving approval for sales of kits in the next
few weeks, which is only subject to approval by BMAA of the build manuals.
For
further information:
Subject
Contact(s)
BMAA
Tel.
+44 (0)1869-338888
Email
general@bmaa.org
BMAA
Homebuilt Aircraft (type) Data Sheets
www.bmaa.org (select “technical information”
BMAA
Technical Office / aircraft approvals
Chief
Technical Officer, Guy Gratton
Email
cto@bmaa.org
Reality
Aircraft (UK)
http://www.realityaircraft.com/
Tel.
01980-625551 (Amesbury)
Just
Aircraft LLC (USA)
Tel.
208-454-3446 (Idaho)
The BMAA Technical Office is always glad to provide
assistance in the form of verified aircraft performance data, independently
checking details, etc. to journalists researching any aircraft in the BMAA
fleet of 140 approved microlight aeroplane types, or to prospective builders /
purchasers wishing to check on what is or can be approved on specific aircraft. A list of BMAA approved aircraft types, is
available at www.bmaa.org/021_1.pdf
|
TODR |
LDR |
Climb rate |
|
|
300m (321m unfactored) |
344m |
1000 ft – 950 fpm |
Glide performance is 7.5:1 at the best glide speed of 47 kn CAS, which is also the best climb speed. Useable payload (including fuel) of the prototype is 195kg / 429lb but it is hoped that subsequent aircraft will be around 10kg / 22lb lighter.
The aircraft is approved in the amateur built category as a microlight aeroplane. It is anticipated that BMAA will be giving approval for sales of kits in the next few weeks, which is only subject to approval by BMAA of the build manuals.
For further information:
|
Subject |
Contact(s) |
|
BMAA |
Tel. +44 (0)1869-338888 Email general@bmaa.org |
|
BMAA Homebuilt Aircraft (type) Data Sheets |
www.bmaa.org (select “technical information” |
|
BMAA Technical Office / aircraft approvals |
Chief Technical Officer, Guy Gratton Email cto@bmaa.org |
|
Reality Aircraft (UK) |
http://www.realityaircraft.com/ Tel. 01980-625551 (Amesbury) |
|
Just Aircraft LLC (USA) |
Tel. 208-454-3446 (Idaho) |
The BMAA Technical Office is always glad to provide assistance in the form of verified aircraft performance data, independently checking details, etc. to journalists researching any aircraft in the BMAA fleet of 140 approved microlight aeroplane types, or to prospective builders / purchasers wishing to check on what is or can be approved on specific aircraft. A list of BMAA approved aircraft types, is available at www.bmaa.org/021_1.pdf