Air Creation GT

Air Creation GT
Air Creation GTE
General information
Type	Ultralight trike
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Air Creation
Status	Production completed
Number built	Over 2000 [1]
History
Variant	Air Creation Trek

The Air Creation GT and Clipper are a series of French two-seat flying wing ultralight trikes that was designed and produced by Air Creation. ^[2]

Design and development

The GT series features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a tandem-seat, open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration. ^[2]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminium tubing, with its double-surface wing covered in Trilam sailcloth. Its 189 sq ft (17.6 m²) area wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame control bar. A variety of wings and engines has been fitted to the GT carriage, to form new variants. ^[2]

When equipped with a cockpit fairing, the aircraft is called the Clipper. ^[3]

The GT series can be fitted with the later-designed Air Creation NuviX wing. ^[1]

The GT was replaced in production by the Air Creation Skypper. ^[1]

Variants

GT-BI

Version with XP-15 wing, center of gravity adjustable sliding keel, pneumatic suspension of all three landing gear wheels and a steerable nose wheel equipped with a drum brake. The engine is a Rotax 503 of 50 hp (37 kW) ^[2]

Kiss 400 GTE 582

Version with the Kiss 400 wing, rated for 400 kg (882 lb) and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW) ^[3]

Kiss 450 GTE 582

Version with the Kiss 450 wing, rated for 450 kg (992 lb) and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW) ^[3]

Mild GTE 582 Float

Version with the Mild wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW) and dual floats for water operations. ^[3]

XP-12 Buggy 582 SL

Version with the XP-12 wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW) and float for water operations. ^{[2] [3]}

MILD-GTE 503 SL

Version with the MILD wing of 178 sq ft (16.5 m²) and Rotax 503 engine of 50 hp (37 kW) ^[4]

MILD-GTE 582

Version with the MILD wing of 178 sq ft (16.5 m²) and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW) ^[5]

XP-GTE 582 SL

Version with the XP wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW) ^[4]

XP-Buggy

Version with the XP wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW) ^[4]

iXess Clipper 582

Version with a fairing, the iXess wing and Rotax 582 engine of 64 hp (48 kW). ^[3]

XP-17 Clipper 912

Version with a fairing, the XP-17 wing and Rotax 912 four stroke engine of 80 hp (60 kW). ^[3]

Specifications (MILD-GTE 503 SL)

Data from Kitplanes ^[4]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Length: 2.4 m (8 ft)
• Wingspan: 10 m (33 ft)
• Height: 3.7 m (12 ft)
• Wing area: 16.5 m² (178 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 172 kg (379 lb)
• Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 15 U.S. gallons (57 L; 12 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 , 37 kW (50 hp)

Performance

• Cruise speed: 80 km/h (50 mph, 43 kn)
• Service ceiling: 4,900 m (16,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 3.70 m/s (728 ft/min)

References

1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 200. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
2. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-3. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN   0-9680628-1-4
3. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, pages 91-92. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
4. Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, pages 44-45. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
5. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 102. BAI Communications. ISBN   0-9636409-4-1