Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen

A-32 Vixxen
Role Light-sport aircraft
National origin Ukraine
Manufacturer Aeroprakt
Designer Yuri Yakovlev
First flight 2014
Introduction 2014
Status In production
Produced 2014 to present

The Aeroprakt A-32 is a Ukrainian two-seat, high-wing, tricycle gear ultralight aircraft that was designed by Yuri Yakovlev and is manufactured by Aeroprakt. In Australia the A-32 is referred to as the Vixxen.[1][2]

The A-32 is a development of the A-22 Foxbat; however unlike the earlier aircraft, which can be purchased in kit form or fully assembled, the A-32 Vixxen is supplied only as a kit in the UK, or ready-to-fly factory-built aircraft in 31 other countries

Design and development

The A-32 was developed from A-22 Foxbat during three years of research and development.[2]

To increase cruise speed while employing the same 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS engine as the A-22, the A-32 has a new flush wing-to-body fairing design and all flying horizontal stabilizer, as well as moulded baffling for improved engine airflow and cooling. Other changes include a wing that is 10 cm (3.9 in) shorter, shorter lift struts and better wing tank fairing. This results in a cruise speed that is 20 kn (37 km/h) faster than the A-22.[2]

The prototype A-32 was completed in January 2014 and the first production aircraft was shown in April 2015. It was then transported to Australia, first flying at Moorabbin on 20 July 2015.[3]

Variants

Aeroprakt A-32L
An ultralight variant of the A-32 with a MTOW of 450 kg (or 472.5 kg with recovery parachute system) to comply with European regulations, although not UK legal.[citation needed] Central control Y-stick installed as default, twin control yokes offered as an option.

Specifications (A-32 Vixxen)

Data from [1][4][5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 6.27 m (20 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.45 m (31 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 2.22 m (7 ft 3 in)
  • Empty weight: 320 kg (705 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 95 L (25 US gal; 21 imp gal) usable in two tanks
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS 4-cylinder horizontally opposed air-cooled piston aircraft engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed KievProp 3-blade ground-adjustable prop with metal leading edges

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 213 km/h (132 mph, 115 kn)
  • Stall speed: 50 km/h (31 mph, 27 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 232 km/h (144 mph, 125 kn)
  • Endurance: 4.5 hours
  • g limits: +4/-2

Avionics

References

  1. ^ a b "AEROPRAKT A32 VIXXEN". Foxbat Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Murray, Andrew (September 2015). "Hunting the Vixxen" (PDF). Sport Pilot. Recreational Aviation Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  3. ^ Gunston, Bill (2016). Jane's All the World's Aircraft: development & production: 2016-17. IHS Global. p. 655. ISBN 978-0-7106-3177-0.
  4. ^ "A32 - SPECIFICATIONS (AUSTRALIA)". Foxbat Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  5. ^ "A32 - DIMENSIONS & PERFORMANCE". Foxbat Australia. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
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