Air Creation BioniX
| BioniX | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight trike wing |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Air Creation |
| Status | In production (2013) |
|
| |
The Air Creation BioniX is a French double-surface ultralight trike wing, designed and produced by Air Creation of Aubenas. The wing is widely used on Air Creation trikes.[1]
Design and development
The wing is a cable-braced, king post-equipped hang glider-style wing designed as advanced, top-of-the-line wing for two-place trikes. It comes in two sizes, 13 m2 (140 sq ft) and 15.1 m2 (163 sq ft).[1][2]
The wing is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its double surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. In its 15.1 m size it has a 9.85 m (32.3 ft) span wing, a nose angle of 130°, an aspect ratio of 6.4:1 and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The wing mounts small winglets. The design incorporates a unique "corset" system that allows the pilot to adjust the wing's trailing edge geometry in flight to optimize performance. This results in a large speed range and good handling characteristics in turbulence, without heavy roll control.[1][3][4]
Variants
- BioniX 13
- 13 m2 (140 sq ft) wing area version[1][2]
- BioniX 15
- 15.1 m2 (163 sq ft) wing area version[1][2]
Applications
Specifications (BioniX 15)
Data from Bayerl and Air Creation[1][3]
General characteristics
- Wingspan: 9.85 m (32 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 15.1 m2 (163 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 6.4:1
- Empty weight: 56 kg (123 lb) wing weight
- Gross weight: 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) maximum aircraft gross weight allowed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 157 km/h (98 mph; 85 kn)
- Cruising speed: 135 km/h (84 mph; 73 kn)
- Stall speed: 55 km/h (34 mph; 30 kn)
- Wing loading: 31.29 kg/m2 (6.41 lb/sq ft) maximum
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 198. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- 1 2 3 Air Creation (n.d.). "BioniX". Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- 1 2 Air Creation (2012). "Technical Characteristics & Performance" (PDF). Retrieved 24 February 2013.
- ↑ Air Creation (n.d.). "Corset" (PDF). Retrieved 24 February 2013.