The Amax Vixen 105 is an Australian homebuilt aircraft that was designed and produced by Amax Engineering of Donvale, Victoria. When it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Vixen 105
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin Australia
Manufacturer Amax Engineering
Status Production completed
Number built At least one

Design and development edit

The Vixen 105 features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cabin with doors, fixed tricycle landing gear or optionally conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]

The aircraft is made from composites. Its 28.50 ft (8.7 m) span wing has optional flaps and a wing area of 128.00 sq ft (11.892 m2). The standard engine used is the 105 hp (78 kW) Subaru EA81 automotive conversion powerplant.[1]

Optional equipment when the kit was supplied by the factory included wing flaps, long range fuel tanks, wheel pants and sprung steel main landing gear.[1]

The Vixen 105 has an empty weight of 500 lb (230 kg) and a gross weight of 1,200 lb (540 kg), giving a useful load of 700 lb (320 kg). With full fuel of 16 U.S. gallons (61 L; 13 imp gal) the payload is 604 lb (274 kg).[1]

The manufacturer estimates the construction time from the supplied kit as 300 hours.[1]

Specifications (Vixen 105) edit

Data from AeroCrafter[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 18.7 ft (5.7 m)
  • Wingspan: 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
  • Wing area: 128.00 sq ft (11.892 m2)
  • Empty weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,200 lb (544 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 16 U.S. gallons (61 L; 13 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Subaru EA81 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke automotive engine, 105 hp (78 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
  • Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn)
  • Range: 350 mi (560 km, 300 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
  • Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 9.4 lb/sq ft (46 kg/m2)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 114. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1