Gyroflug Speed Canard
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| SC 01 Speed Canard | |
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| Type | Sports plane |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Gyroflug |
| Designed by | Peter Krauss and Jörg Elzenbeck |
| Maiden flight | 2 December 1980 |
| Number built | 62 by 1995 |
The Gyroflug SC 01 Speed Canard is an unconventional sports plane produced in Germany in the 1980s. Inspired by the Rutan VariEze, the Speed Canard was an all-new design created without input from Rutan. Like the VariEze, the Speed Canard is a canard-configured mid-wing monoplane with wingtip fins that incorporate rudders. The two-seat tandem cockpit and canopy design were derived from Grob Twin Astir sailplane, and the nosewheel of the tricycle undercarriage is retractable. Construction throughout is of composite materials, and when the design attained German certification in 1983, it became the first composite canard design to achieve certification anywhere in the world. An interesting feature of the control system is that the twin rudders operate independently, allowing both rudders to be deflected outwards simultaneously, cancelling each other's yaw, but acting as airbrakes.
In 1987, the development of a four-seat version was announced as the E 401, but was abandoned soon thereafter.
[edit] Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 7.77 m (25 ft 6 in)
- Height: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 7.8 m² (84 ft²)
- Empty weight: 440 kg (970 lb)
- Gross weight: 815 kg (1,576 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Avco Lycoming O-320-D1A, 120 kW (160 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 295 km/h (183 mph)
- Range: 1,325 km (823 miles)
- Service ceiling: 5,640 m (18,500 ft)
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 928.
- Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing, 189.
- "Speed Canard airborne" (3 January 1981). Flight International: 13.
- "Speed Canard progress" (7 March 1981). Flight International: 621.
- "Gyroflug Speed Canard certificated" (22 October 1983). Flight International: 1090.
- "Gyroflug plans four-seat canard" (27 June 1987). Flight International: 10.
- "Gyroflug delays four-seater" (21 May 1988). Flight International: 19.
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