TechProAviation Merlin 100
| Merlin 100 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The prototype Merlin 100 | |
| Role | Amateur-built aircraft |
| National origin | Czech Republic |
| Manufacturer | TechProAviation |
| Introduction | 2011 |
| Status | In production (2015) |
| Number built | 10 by 2013 |
| Unit cost |
€5,000 (kit, less engine, 2011) |
The TechProAviation Merlin HV 100 is a Czech amateur-built aircraft, designed and produced by TechProAviation of Olomouc. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]
Design and development
The Merlin 100 features a cantilever high-wing, a single-seat enclosed open cockpit accessed via a single door on the fuselage righthand side, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]
The aircraft is made from matched-hole drilled sheet aluminum. Its 7.8 m (25.6 ft) span wing has an area of 7.05 m2 (75.9 sq ft) and mounts flaps. The standard engine used is the 35 hp (26 kW) Verner JCV 360 twin cylinder four-stroke powerplant. Alternative engines include the 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E four-stroke, 50 hp (37 kW) Hirth F-23 and 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-stroke powerplants. The aircraft will be marketed as a kit only.[1][2]
By mid-2011 only the prototype had flown, logging 100 hours of testing,[1] These tests led to modifications; by November 2012 the prototype had gained a fin fillet and the mainwheel legs were slightly forward raked.[3]
Operational history
By 2013 ten Merlins had been built. Flyaway prices, without tax, are engine dependent; the cheapest is the Verner-engined variant at €15,500 in 2015.[3]
Variants
These are in production in late 2015[3]
- Merlin 100 UL
- Version for the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight class,[2] specification below. A tailwheel version was flown in April 2012 and is available.[3]
- Merlin 100 ML
- Lightened lightened version for the German 120 kg (265 lb) class[4] It has reduced dimensions, with a span of 6.40 m (21 ft 0 in) and length of 5.12 m (16 ft 10 in), a tailwhell undercarriage and is powered buy a Polini mtorcycle engine. It first flew in late March 2014.[3]
- Rotax
- As 100UL but with a Rotax 582 engine which gives it a speed of 240 km/h (150 mph; 130 kn). An amphibious floatplane version is planned.
Specifications (Merlin 100 UL)
Data from Bayerl and TechProAviation[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Length: 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
- Height: 2.12 m (6 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 7.05 m2 (75.9 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 150 kg (331 lb)
- Gross weight: 300 kg (661 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 50 litres (11 imp gal; 13 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Verner JCV 360 twin cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 26 kW (35 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed composite
Performance
- Cruising speed: 160 km/h (99 mph; 86 kn)
- Stall speed: 62 km/h (39 mph; 33 kn) flaps down
- Never exceed speed: 185 km/h (115 mph; 100 kn)
- Wing loading: 42.5 kg/m2 (8.7 lb/sq ft)
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 123. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- 1 2 3 TechProAviation (2011). "Merlin 100 UL". Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Gunston, Bill (2016). Jane's All the World's Aircraft : development & production : 2016-17. IHS Global. pp. 208–9. ISBN 978-0-7106-3177-0.
- ↑ TechProAviation (2011). "Merlin 100 ML". Retrieved 24 October 2012.