Raj Hamsa Clipper

Clipper
Role	Ultralight trike
National origin	India
Manufacturer	Raj Hamsa Ultralights
Status	In production (2013)
Produced	1990s-present
Variants	Raj Hamsa Voyager

The Raj Hamsa Clipper is an Indian ultralight trike, designed and produced by Raj Hamsa Ultralights since the 1990s. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft. ^[1]

Design and development

The Clipper was designed as a trainer for school use and complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 350 kg (772 lb). It features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit without a cockpit fairing, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration. ^[1]

The Clipper was developed into the longer range Raj Hamsa Voyager. ^[1]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its double surface Raj Hamsa-made wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 10.1 m (33.1 ft) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The powerplant is a twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 engine or the twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition 65 hp (48 kW) Hirth 2706 engine. ^{[1] [2]}

The aircraft has an empty weight of 160 kg (353 lb) and a gross weight of 350 kg (772 lb), giving a useful load of 190 kg (419 lb). With full fuel of 25 litres (5.5 imp gal; 6.6 US gal) the payload is 172 kg (379 lb). ^[1]

Specifications (Clipper)

Data from Bayerl and Raj Hamsa ^{[1] [2]}

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Wingspan: 10.1 m (33 ft 2 in)
• Wing area: 16.0 m² (172 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 160 kg (353 lb)
• Gross weight: 350 kg (772 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 25 litres (5.5 imp gal; 6.6 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 37 kW (50 hp)
• Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

• Maximum speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
• Cruise speed: 70 km/h (43 mph, 38 kn)
• Stall speed: 50 km/h (31 mph, 27 kn)
• Range: 140 km (87 mi, 76 nmi)
• Endurance: 2.0 hours
• Service ceiling: 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
• Rate of climb: 3.5 m/s (690 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 21.9 kg/m² (4.5 lb/sq ft)

References

1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 224. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
2. Raj Hamsa Ultralights (n.d.). "Two-Seater Powered Hang Glider, Type "Clipper"" . Retrieved 24 September 2013.

External links

• Official website