Texas Aircraft Colt

Last updated

Colt
Texas Aircraft Colt 100.jpg
Role Light-sport aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Texas Aircraft Manufacturing
DesignerCaio Jordão
First flight2018
IntroductionJuly 2019
StatusIn production
Produced2019-present
Number built7 [1]
Developed from INPAER Conquest 180

The Texas Aircraft Colt is an American light-sport aircraft built by Texas Aircraft Manufacturing, a company headed by Brazilian Matheus Grande. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Designed by the Brazilian Caio Jordão, the Colt was publicly introduced at AirVenture, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in July 2019. The aircraft is supplied ready-to-fly. [2] [4] [7] [8]

The design first flew in 2018 and met the ASTM standards as a light-sport aircraft in September 2019. The first customer delivery was in January 2020. [3] [6] [8] [9]

Design and development

The aircraft is based upon the Brazilian Jordão-designed INPAER Conquest 180, developed to comply with the US light-sport aircraft rules. It features a strut-braced high-wing with flaps, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit accessed by doors, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration. [2] [3] [6] [7]

The aircraft is made with a welded 4130 steel tubing cockpit cage, with the rest of the airframe aluminum construction, covered in aluminum sheet. The Colt has yoke controls, four point harnesses, a Galaxy GRS 6/600 SD Speedy ballistic parachute and a basic glass cockpit. The standard engine used is the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS four-stroke powerplant. [2] [3] [6] [7]

In September 2019 the type completed ASTM testing to qualify for the US light-sport category, and is listed as the "Colt 100" on the Federal Aviation Administration's list of approved special light-sport aircraft. [2] [8] [10]

The company plans to build six to eight aircraft in 2019 and 24 during 2020, at its plant at South Texas Regional Airport in Hondo, Texas. The plant was officially opened in February 2019 and employs many ex-U.S. military aircraft maintenance personal to build the aircraft. Prices have not been announced, but sales are to start in July 2019. [2] [3] [4] [5] [7]

In July 2020 the company announced that it was developing an electric aircraft variant. The eColt will be powered by lithium-sulfur batteries and will have a greater than two-hour endurance, giving a range of 200 nmi (370 km). [11]

In August 2020 the manufacturer announced that the aircraft would be available as the "entry-level Colt", with the Garmin G3X Touch EFIS and Garmin GTN 650 GPS/NAV/COMM/MFD, in response to demand from flight schools that want to use the aircraft for flight training. This model was introduced in November 2020 and includes other cost saving measures, including analog instruments on the right (instructor's) side of the instrument panel, synthetic leather upholstery, an exterior white painted finish with no graphics, plus toe brakes only on the left (pilot) side. [12] [13]

Operational history

The first customer aircraft was delivered to a private owner in January 2020. [9]

In a flight review in February 2020 AVweb's Paul Bertorelli praised the aircraft's handling and cabin ergonomics once seated. He faulted the cabin entrance size, however, writing, "the problem is getting in because the door has an upper sill that forces you to duck to ingress. It proved only a slight problem for my 5-ft. 8-in. frame, but taller pilots or those long of torso may struggle." He also noted the design's limited useful load, "at 836 pounds empty, the Colt has 484 pounds of useful load. That’s two 200-pounders and 14 gallons of gas. That’s fine for a training flight, but not so fine for cross- country flying where you might also wish to carry some baggage. So if you carry full fuel, the people better not weigh more than 300 pounds total." Of the design overall he concluded, "the Colt’s performance is workmanlike, but not exceptional. If it stands out at all, my view is that it’s a little airplane masquerading as a big one. The ergonomics are excellent and the handling is well sorted, especially if the airplane finds a home as a trainer. Teaching landings in it would be a blast." [14]

Specifications (Colt)

Data from Cook, Airframer, Flyer UK [2] [3] [6]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirrus SR20</span> Single-engine general aviation aircraft

The Cirrus SR20 is an American piston-engined, four- or five-seat composite monoplane built since 1999 by Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, Minnesota. The aircraft is the company's earliest type-certified model, earning certification in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 162 Skycatcher</span> American side-by-side two-seat light sport airplane

The Cessna 162 Skycatcher is an American side-by-side two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, tricycle gear light-sport aircraft (LSA) that was designed and produced by Cessna between December 2009 and December 2013. Its intended market was flight training and personal use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Van's Aircraft RV-12</span> American kit aircraft

The Van's RV-12 is an American two-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt airplane eligible for the U.S. E-LSA category, sold in kit form and as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft by Van's Aircraft of Aurora, Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CZAW SportCruiser</span> Czech light-sport aircraft

The CSA SportCruiser is a two-seat, single engine, tricycle undercarriage, fixed-wing aircraft that was introduced in 2006 by Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW), now named Czech Sport Aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirrus Vision SF50</span> Very light business jet

The Cirrus Vision SF50, also known as the Vision Jet, is a single-engine very light jet designed and produced by Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, Minnesota, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glasair Aviation</span> Chinese-owned aircraft manufacturer

Glasair Aviation USA, LLC is a Chinese-owned aircraft manufacturer based in Arlington, Washington that produces the Glasair and Sportsman 2+2 line of homebuilt aircraft. More than 3000 Glasair kits have been delivered worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICON A5</span> Amphibious light-sport aircraft developed by ICON Aircraft

The ICON A5 is an American amphibious light-sport aircraft (LSA) designed and produced by ICON Aircraft. A concept aircraft was first flown in 2008, and creation of the production tooling began in December 2012. The first production aircraft made its first flight on July 7, 2014, and made its public debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 27, 2014. A year later at AirVenture, it was temporarily donated to the youth group Young Eagles, with the first official A5 customer deliveries occurring in 2016. As of 2019, 100 A5s had been delivered. The aircraft is known for having brought significant excitement and publicity to the LSA industry since its unveiling in 2008, although company legal and financial issues have slowed production since 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipistrel Virus</span> Type of aircraft

The Pipistrel Virus is a two-seat, single engine light aircraft, manufactured by Pipistrel in Slovenia and Italy, and sold as an ultralight, homebuilt kit, or light-sport aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Legend AL11C-100</span> Type of aircraft

The American Legend AL3C-100 and American Legend AL11C-100 are new design American light-sport aircraft inspired by the Piper J-3 Cub and Super Cub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BRM Aero Bristell</span> Czech ultralight aircraft

The BRM Aero Bristell NG 5, now called the Bristell Classic, is a Czech low-wing, two-seat in side-by-side configuration, single engine in tractor configuration, ultralight and light-sport aircraft that was designed by Milan Bristela and is produced by BRM Aero. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipistrel Alpha Trainer</span> Slovenian light-sport aircraft

The Pipistrel Alpha Trainer is a Slovenian two-seat, single-engine light-sport aircraft intended specifically for flight training, designed and produced by Pipistrel in Gorizia, Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Aircraft Sam LS</span> Canadian light aircraft

The Sam Aircraft Sam LS is a Canadian aircraft design, designed and produced by Sam Aircraft, formerly known as Haim Aviation of Lachute, Quebec. The aircraft was designed for the Canadian AULA and American light-sport aircraft rules and had its first flight on 26 February 2013.

Superior Air Parts, Inc. is a Chinese-owned manufacturer of aviation piston engine replacement parts, headquartered in Coppell, Texas, United States. The company has been owned by Superior Aviation Beijing since 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samson Switchblade</span> American roadable aircraft

The Samson Switchblade is an American amateur-built roadable aircraft, under development by Samson Motorworks of Meadow Vista, California. It was publicly introduced at AirVenture in 2009 in mock-up form. The aircraft is intended to be supplied as a kit for amateur construction initially and possibly as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft in the future.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rans S-20 Raven</span> Type of aircraft

The Rans S-20 Raven is an American homebuilt aircraft that was designed by Randy Schlitter and is produced by Rans Designs of Hays, Kansas, introduced at AirVenture in August 2013. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction and it is anticipated that it will later be offered as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft in the light-sport aircraft category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CubCrafters CC19 XCub</span> American light aircraft

The CubCrafters CC19 XCub is an American light aircraft, designed and produced by Cub Crafters of Yakima, Washington, introduced in June 2016. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vashon Ranger R7</span> American light-sport aircraft

The Vashon Ranger R7 is an American light-sport aircraft designed and produced by Vashon Aircraft of Woodinville, Washington. It was formally introduced at the AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July 2018. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sling Aircraft Sling TSi</span> South African homebuilt aircraft introduced in 2018

The Sling TSi is a South African four-seat, single-engine, low-wing homebuilt aircraft sold in kit form by Sling Aircraft of Johannesburg South. It was developed from the Sling 4.

The Tecnam P-Mentor is an Italian light aircraft, intended for flight training, designed and produced by Tecnam of Casoria. It was introduced in April 2022 and is EASA CS-23 type certified in Europe.

The CubCrafters Carbon Cub UL is an American light-sport and ultralight aircraft that is under development by Cub Crafters of Yakima, Washington, introduced at the Sun 'n Fun airshow in March 2023. The aircraft is intended to be supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.

References

  1. ↑ "FAA Aircraft Registry Entry for S/N TX007". Registry.faa.gov. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cook, Marc (March 18, 2019). "Texas Aircraft Breeds A Colt". AVweb. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Texas Aircraft Manufacturing introduces the new-generation Colt light sport aircraft". www.airframer.com. 2019. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 Johnson, Dan (March 18, 2019). "Texas Aircraft Unveils All-New Colt 100 Light-Sport Aircraft". www.bydanjohnson.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Texas Aircraft Manufacturing Celebrates the Opening of Its New Engineering and Aircraft Production Facility". Aviation Pros. March 14, 2019. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 News Team (March 21, 2019). "Meet the Texas Colt, an American LSA". Flyer UK. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Moore, Jim (March 21, 2019). "The Colt is out of the bag". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association . Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 Cook, Marc (September 24, 2019). "Colt LSA Receives ASTM Certification". AVweb. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  9. 1 2 O'Connor, Kate (January 8, 2020). "Texas Aircraft Delivers First Colt". AVweb. Archived from the original on January 10, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  10. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (October 28, 2019). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  11. ↑ O'Connor, Kate (July 22, 2020). "Texas Aircraft Developing eColt". AVweb. Archived from the original on July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  12. ↑ Cook, Marc (August 24, 2020). "Texas Colt Gets Garmin G3X Touch". AVweb. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  13. ↑ Cook, Marc (November 23, 2020). "Texas Aircraft Introduces Entry Level Colt". AVweb. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  14. ↑ Bertorelli, Paul (February 12, 2020). "Texas Colt: Big Airplane Handling". AVweb. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.