The Flylab Tucano (English: Toucan) is an Italian ultralight aircraft, produced by Flylab, of Ischitella. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft. The aircraft was produced in the 1990s by Ferrari ULM of Castelbaldo.[1][2][3]

Flylab Tucano
Flylab Tucano V
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Ferrari ULM
Flylab
Status In production
Developed from Chotia Weedhopper

Design and development edit

The Tucano is a derivative of the Chotia Weedhopper and was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules with the design goal of being a low-cost aircraft. It features a strut-braced parasol wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed or open cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear or floats and a single engine in pusher configuration or on some models twin engines in centreline thrust arrangement.[1][2]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its flying surfaces covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 10.17 m (33.4 ft) span wing has an area of 17 m2 (180 sq ft) and is supported by V-struts and jury struts. There is a cabane strut that passes through the windshield and cockpit area. The aircraft is built around a central bent aluminum keel tube that runs from the cockpit to the tail. Controls are standard three-axis type. Standard engines available are the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 and 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-stroke powerplants. The fuel tank is of plastic construction, mounted under the pusher engine. The Tucano V has a glide ratio of 11:1.[1][2]

Variants edit

 
Tucano V
Tucano
Base model with Rotax 582 powerplant.[1][2][4]
Tucano V
Improved model, with aerodynamic clean-ups and enclosed cockpit[1][2][5]
Tucano HV
A Tucano V mounted on floats (hydro).[1][6]
Tucano Delta3
Open cockpit model powered by a Rotax 503[1][7]
Tucano HD3
Float-equipped model based on the Tucano Delta3, powered by a Rotax 503[1][8]
Tucano HD3A
Amphibious float-equipped model based on the Tucano HD3, powered by a Rotax 503[9]
Tucano Delta3 TW
Twin-engined (TW) version with Rotax 582 engines mounted in the nose and aft of the cockpit, based on the Tucano Delta3[1][2][10]
Tucano Delta3 VTW
Twin-engined version with Rotax 582 engines mounted in the nose and aft of the cockpit, with the Tucano V aerodynamic and cockpit refinements[1][11]
Tucano X2
Twin-engined version with Rotax 582 engines mounted in the nose and aft of the cockpit, produced in the 1990s by Ferrari ULM.[3]

Specifications (Tucano V) edit

 
Tucano V

Data from Bayerl and Flylab[1][5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 6.30 m (20 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.17 m (33 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 16.99 m2 (182.9 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 225 kg (496 lb)
  • Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 76 litres (17 imp gal; 20 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, liquid-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 48 kW (64 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 125 km/h (78 mph, 67 kn)
  • Stall speed: 52 km/h (32 mph, 28 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 11:1
  • Rate of climb: 5.5 m/s (1,080 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 26.49 kg/m2 (5.43 lb/sq ft)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 54. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ a b c d e f Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 55. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ^ a b Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 158. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  4. ^ "Tucano By Flylab". Flylab.it. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Tucano V By Flylab". Flylab.it. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Tucano HV By Flylab". Flylab.it. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  7. ^ "Tucano Delta3 By Flylab". Flylab.it. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  8. ^ "Tucano HD3 By Flylab". Flylab.it. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  9. ^ "Tucano HD3A By Flylab". Flylab.it. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  10. ^ "Tucano Delta3 TW By Flylab". Flylab.it. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  11. ^ "Tucano Delta3 VTW By Flylab". Flylab.it. Retrieved 5 July 2012.

External links edit