EAGLE AIRCRAFT HAS achieved stall speeds of less than the minimum 45kt standard for European Joint Aviation Authorities very-light-aircraft (JAR/VLA) certification in its "200 series" upgrade of the Eagle XT-S sports trainer.
The aircraft had previously failed to meet the standard and was operating at a reduced take-off weight (Flight International, 25-31 January). The certification problems have set back the programme, and new production aircraft will not now be available until late this year.
The only aerodynamic modification was an increase in flap area through a lengthened flap chord, which has yet to be tested in all weight and centre-of-gravity regimes. Eagle will also now install "B series" IO-240 Teledyne Continental engines in new models, with power increased by about 10% from the previous 95kW (125hp). Eagle is also to reduce structural weight by using pre-impregnated carbon-fibre composites.
The modification will not be retrofitted to the six aircraft operated by the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management.
Source: Flight International
