Spartan DFD Aerotome

Spartan DFD Aerotome
General information
Type	Ultralight trike
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Spartan Microlights
Status	Production completed
Number built	30 (February 2000)

The Spartan DFD Aerotome, or DFS Aerotome Dual, is an American two-seat ultralight trike that was designed and produced by Spartan Microlights. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Design and development

The aircraft was designed as a US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules two-seat trainer. It features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration. ^[1]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its single surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 36 ft (11.0 m) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame control bar. Unlike the Spartan DFS Trike the Aerotome uses only a trike delta wing and cannot be converted for powered parachute use. ^{[1] [3]}

The standard engine supplied was the twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503, with a 5 U.S. gallons (19  L ; 4.2  imp gal ) fuel tank. When in production it came with optional dual controls, aero-towing hardware, larger engines and 10 U.S. gallons (38  L ; 8.3  imp gal ) fuel tank. Thirty had been completed and flown by February 2000. ^{[1] [2]}

Specifications (Aerotome)

Data from Kitplanes ^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Length: 7 ft (2.1 m)
• Wingspan: 36 ft (11 m)
• Height: 7 ft (2.1 m)
• Wing area: 190 sq ft (18 m²)
• Empty weight: 248 lb (112 kg)
• Gross weight: 750 lb (340 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal) standard
• Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 50 hp (37 kW)

Performance

• Cruise speed: 44 mph (71 km/h, 38 kn)
• Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)

References

1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-27. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN   0-9680628-1-4
2. Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 48. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
3. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 111. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X