Take Off Merlin
| Merlin | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight trike |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Take Off GmbH |
| Introduction | 1994 |
| Status | In production (2013) |
| Produced | 1994-present |
| Unit cost |
€19,800 (Merlin 1200, 2011) |
The Take Off Merlin is a German ultralight trike, designed and produced by Take Off GmbH of Hamm. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]
Design and development
The Merlin 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 features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit with a cockpit fairing, tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]
The aircraft is made from welded stainless steel tubing, with its double surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 10 m (32.8 ft) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The powerplants are various BMW motorcycle engines that vary by model.[1]
A number of different wings can be fitted to the basic carriage, including the Drachen Studio Avent and Air Creation iXess .[1]
Variants
- Merlin 100
- Initial version introduced in 1994[2]
- Merlin 1100
- Model introduced in 1998 and powered by a four-stroke, 90 hp (67 kW) BMW 1100 RS engine. The 1100 has an empty weight of 195 kg (430 lb) and a gross weight of 400 kg (882 lb), giving a useful load of 205 kg (452 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload is 162 kg (357 lb).[1][2]
- Merlin 1200
- Model introduced in 2006 and powered by a four-stroke, 95 hp (71 kW) BMW 1200 GS engine. The 1200 has an empty weight of 230 kg (507 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb), giving a useful load of 220 kg (485 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload is 177 kg (390 lb).[1][2]
Specifications (Merlin 1200)
Data from Bayerl[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Wingspan: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 15.2 m2 (164 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 230 kg (507 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × BMW 1200 GS four stroke motorcycle engine, 71 kW (95 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed composite
Performance
- Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph; 76 kn)
- Cruising speed: 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kn)
- Stall speed: 55 km/h (34 mph; 30 kn)
- Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 29.6 kg/m2 (6.1 lb/sq ft)