The Silent Family Silent Racer is a German ultralight trike, designed by Helmut Grossklaus and produced by Silent Family of Westerrade. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]
| Silent Racer | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight trike |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Silent Family |
| Designer | Helmut Grossklaus |
| Status | In production (2013) |
Design and development
editThe Silent Racer was designed to comply 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 450 kg (992 lb). It features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit with a windshield, retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]
The aircraft is made from composites, with its double surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. A variety of wings can be used from 10 to 12 m (32.8 to 39.4 ft) in span and 10 to 15 m2 (110 to 160 sq ft) in area, all supported by a single tube-type kingpost and employing an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The powerplant is a twin cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke, dual-ignition 53 hp (40 kW) Hirth 2704 engine or 65 hp (48 kW) Hirth 2706. The aircraft has an empty weight of 200 kg (441 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb), giving a useful load of 250 kg (551 lb). With full fuel of 57 litres (13 imp gal; 15 US gal) the payload is 209 kg (461 lb).[1]
Specifications (Silent Racer)
editData from Bayerl[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 10 m2 (110 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 200 kg (441 lb)
- Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 57 litres (13 imp gal; 15 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Hirth 2704 twin cylinder, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 40 kW (53 hp)
- Propellers: 4-bladed composite
Performance
- Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
- Cruise speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
- Stall speed: 45 km/h (28 mph, 24 kn)
- Rate of climb: 4.0 m/s (790 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 45.0 kg/m2 (9.2 lb/sq ft)