French company Aeronix (Hall 5a, G13/4) has finally started commercial production of its Airelle micro-light after four years of research and development. First deliveries of the twin-engine push-pull two-seater will take place in August, while a customer is already working on its DIY kit version.
Lionel Mauduit du Plessis, chairman and chief executive of Aeronix, is delighted to announce on his company's second appearance at Paris that he has sold seven aircraft and has 80 options. The aircraft sells for €100,000-150,000 ($118,000-178,000) mounted or €60,000-100,000 in kit form.
He now needs investors to help him start producing at a greater rate: he believes there's a market for up to 100 Airelles a year. Middle East, Africa and the USA are in his view its growth-market.
Heavier
As a twin-engine, the Airelle can safely and efficiently replace bigger, heavier and more expensive aircraft, for operations over dangerous areas and in a variety of roles. It cruises at 60-230km/h (32-124kt) and as a micro-light, doesn't need an airport for takeoff or landing.
Founded in 1999, Aeronix plans to offer a four-seat version, in an assembly kit version, with proper certification planned for 2006. An intermediate product, seating two, is in the pipeline too: it will offer more comfort and fewer constraints than the micro-light version. However, it will cost more.
Aeronix has filled its Airelle with innovations. With its four wings, it will please aerial photography companies with its unimpeded lateral view.
Considered a single-engine by the DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile) thanks to its push-pull configuration (one engine at the front, one at the rear), the Airelle avoids asymmetrical flight in case of engine failure. Also, as the rear engine is mounted slightly above the front one, it benefits from the relative draft produced at the front.
Winglet
The winglet's, situated on the rear wings, are made of two flaps that open, serving also as air-brakes. In the future, the Airelle will be almost 100% made of titanium instead of aluminium, making it stronger without increasing the weight.
Thanks to new technologies, avionics onboard the Airelle are innovative too: data, recorded by on-board sensors, are processed by an on-board PC that displays information on a glass cockpit, like on a flight simulator, making flying easier.
The use of a computer has numerous other advantages. SAGA (Système Automatisé de Gestion de l'Avion) helps adjust weight before takeoff, for instance; flight data is stored and can be used as a black box; upgrades are easy.
Source: Flight Daily News
