The Anglin J6 Karatoo is an Australian ultralight and light-sport aircraft that was designed by Jesse Anglin and introduced in 1982. Over the years the J6 Karatoo has been produced by several different manufacturers, including Amax Engineering of Donvale, Victoria, Skyway Aircraft and is currently built by Serenity Aviation of Australia. The aircraft is supplied as plans or as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| J6 Karatoo | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight aircraft and Light-sport aircraft |
| National origin | Australia |
| Manufacturer | Amax Engineering Skyway Aircraft Serenity Aviation |
| Designer | Jesse Anglin |
| First flight | 1982 |
| Introduction | 1982 |
| Status | In production (2012) |
| Variants | Norman Aviation J6 Karatoo Buzzman L'il Buzzard |
Design and development
editThe aircraft features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit with doors, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[4]
The aircraft fuselage is made from welded 4130 steel tubing, with its wings usually made with a wooden structure, all covered in doped aircraft fabric. Its 32.5 ft (9.9 m) span wing employs a Clark Y airfoil, has an area of 146 sq ft (13.6 m2) and optional flaps. The wing is supported by V-struts and jury struts and is constructed with marine plywood ribs and a D-cell leading edge, although a metal wing was under development. Wing folding for ground transport or storage is optional. Floats for water operations are an option.[4][5][7][8]
The Karatoo can accept engines in the range of 50 to 100 hp (37 to 75 kW), depending on the model. Engines used include the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 and the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-strokes as well as the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL, the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS, 85 hp (63 kW) Jabiru 2200, 71 to 100 hp (53 to 75 kW) Subaru EA engine, 90 hp (67 kW) Continental C-90 and the 100 hp (75 kW) Continental O-200A four-stroke powerplants.[4][7][8]
In 1988 the J6 design was adapted to the Canadian ultralight rules as the Norman Aviation J6 Karatoo and, in 1990, as the Buzzman L'il Buzzard.[2][3]
Operational history
editIn August 2012 there were 14 J6 Karatoos registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration in the Experimental - Amateur Built and light-sport categories.[9]
Variants
edit- J6A Karatoo
- Initial model with a gross weight of 900 lb (410 kg), commonly powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503. The earliest versions had a solid spruce main spar and later a spruce I beam spar.[7]
- J6B Australian Karatoo
- Improved model developed by Anglin in conjunction with Max Peters. The J6B has a gross weight of 1,200 lb (540 kg), strengthened landing gear, optional flaps and initially used a 71 to 100 hp (53 to 75 kW) Subaru EA engine automotive conversion powerplant.[7][8]
- J6C Australian Karatoo
- Model with a gross weight of 1,200 lb (540 kg), a longer and wider fuselage, with a revised rear fuselage structure.[7][8]
Specifications (Serenity J6B Australian Karatoo)
editData from Serenity Aviation[8]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m) including propeller and spinner
- Wingspan: 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m)
- Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
- Wing area: 146 sq ft (13.6 m2)
- Empty weight: 580 lb (263 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,200 lb (544 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 52 litres (11 imp gal; 14 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-90 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 90 hp (67 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed wooden
Performance
- Maximum speed: 110 kn (130 mph, 200 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 80 kn (92 mph, 150 km/h)
- Stall speed: 40 kn (46 mph, 74 km/h) flaps down
- Never exceed speed: 120 kn (140 mph, 220 km/h)
- Rate of climb: 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s)
- Wing loading: 8.2 lb/sq ft (40 kg/m2)
See also
editRelated development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Hipp's Superbirds J-3 Kitten (Preceptor Pup is designed by a former Hipps worker)
- Preceptor N3 Pup
- Belite Ultra Cub
- Ultravia Pelican
- Rocky Mountain Wings Ridge Runner
- Wood Sky Pup
- Team Mini-Max Hi-MAX
- Fisher FP-202 Koala
- Light Miniature Aircraft LM-1
References
edit- ^ "Pricing". Serenity Aviation. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ a b Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 60. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ a b Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-90. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
- ^ a b c d "Karatoo". Serenity Aviation. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ a b Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- ^ Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 114. (Benicia: BAI Communications) 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
- ^ a b c d e "Introduction". Serenity Aviation. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "Specifications". Serenity Aviation. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (August 2012). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 22 August 2012.
External links
edit- Official website
- J6 Karatoo photos on Airliners.net