Alpaero Exel

Last updated
Exel
RoleMotor glider
National origin France
ManufacturerALPAERO Noin Aéronautique, Châteauvieux
Designer Claude Noin
First flightSeptember 1998
Number built9 kits delivered by end 2005 plus prototype

The Alpaero Exel is a French single seat, single engine pusher pod-and-boom kit-built ultralight motor glider. [1] [2] [3] About 10 had been produced by 2005.

Contents

Design and development

The Exel was designed to be sold complete or as a rapid-assembly kit. It is a single seat motor glider with a single engine in pusher configuration mounted high behind the cockpit. A T-tail is carried on a low set boom that extends the bottom line of the nose and cockpit pod. [3] [4]

The mid-mounted wings have carbon fibre spar caps and are glass fibre skinned. For most of the span the wings have constant chord, but the final 30% is straight tapered on both edges, with winglets an option. The aspect ratio is 16.5. Flaperons extend from the wing root just into the trapezoidal tip; flap deflections are +5°, 0° and -5°. Upper surface air brakes are placed at mid chord, halfway along the parallel wing region. [4]

The fuselage is formed from two glass fibre half-shells and plywood bulkheads. The pod ends at the trailing edge of the wing; forward, the single piece canopy produces an almost linear profile to the nose. Fin and rudder, the latter fabric covered, are straight edged and slightly tapered, carrying a parallel edged, high aspect ratio tailplane with a single piece elevator. The Exel has a single main landing wheel mounted within an integral fuselage fairing, assisted by a tail wheel mounted in the base of the rudder. A pair of small outboard wheels protect the wingtips. [3] [4]

The standard Exel is powered by an 18 hp (13.4 kW) JPX D-320 flat twin, two-stroke engine, driving a two bladed pusher carbon fibre propeller which can be folded so both blades point aft for gliding flight. Optionally, a 21 kW (28 hp) Hirth F-33 single cylinder two stroke engine, a four-stroke Briggs & Stratton 21 kW (28 hp) or a Zenoah G-25 16 kW (21 hp) single cylinder two stroke powerplant may be fitted. A ballistic recovery parachute is another option. [2] [3] [4]

Operational history

The prototype flew in September 1998 and production started the following year. By the end of 2005, 9 Exels had been delivered. [4]

Specifications (JPX powered)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010/11, p.193 [4]

General characteristics

Performance

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References

  1. ↑ Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 54. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 133. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. 1 2 3 4 Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 353. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN   0-9636409-4-1
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6
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