Normand Dube Aerocruiser Plus

Aerocruiser Plus
Role	Amateur-built aircraft
National origin	Canada
Manufacturer	Aviation Normand Dube
Designer	Normand Dube
Introduction	1988
Status	In production (2015)
Number built	one prototype
Developed from	Norman Dube Aerocruiser

The Normand Dube Aerocruiser Plus (also called the Aerocruiser 180) is a four-seat Canadian amateur-built aircraft, designed by Normand Dube and produced by Aviation Normand Dube of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec. The aircraft is a development of the two-seat Norman Dube Aerocruiser.[1][2]

Design and development

The Aerocruiser Plus features a "V" strut-braced high-wing, a four-seat enclosed cabin accessed by doors, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft can be fitted with floats, wheels or skis.[1][2]

The aircraft is made with a welded 4130 steel tubing fuselage and a riveted 2024 aluminum wing. Its 32 ft (9.8 m) span wing employs a NACA 4412 airfoil, has an area of 161 sq ft (15.0 m^2) and mounts flaps. The cabin width is 39 in (99 cm). The engine used on the prototype is a 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 four-stroke powerplant.[1][2][3]

Operational history

Reviewers Roy Beisswenger and Marino Boric described the design in a 2015 review as "outback-friendly".[1][2]

By March 2017, one example, the prototype had been registered with Transport Canada.[4]

Specifications (Aerocruiser Plus)

Data from Bayerl, Tacke and the manufacturer[1][2][3]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: three passengers
• Length: 25 ft (7.6 m)
• Wingspan: 32 ft (9.8 m)
• Wing area: 160 sq ft (15 m^2)
• Airfoil: NACA 4412
• Empty weight: 1,088 lb (494 kg)
• Gross weight: 2,200 lb (998 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 200 litres (44 imp gal; 53 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 180 hp (130 kW)
• Propellers: 2-bladed metal, fixed pitch

Performance

• Cruise speed: 120 mph (193 km/h, 104 kn)
• Stall speed: 47 mph (75 km/h, 40 kn)
• Rate of climb: 690 ft/min (3.5 m/s)
• Wing loading: 13.6 lb/sq ft (66.4 kg/m^2)

References

1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 94. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
2. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 99. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
3. Saint-Georges, Richard. "L'Aerocruiser Plus En Quelques Lignes" (PDF). aviationnormanddube.com. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
4. Transport Canada (31 March 2017). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Retrieved 31 March 2017.

External links

• Official website