The Rainbow Aerotrike is a family of South African two-seat ultralight trikes, made by Rainbow Aircraft of Edenvale, Gauteng and available in kit form for amateur construction or fully assembled. The type has been noted for its long-distance flights.Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-1. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 108. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485XPurdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 235. BAI Communications. Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 49. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 49. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, pages 219-220. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
Design and development The current Aerotrike series comprises two variants of the same basic design, the Scout and Cobra. Both share the same basic design, including the two-seat carriage frame, suspension, steering and folding inverted "V" mast assembly. The Scout is equipped minimally, while the Cobra has many options as standard equipment, including a cockpit pod fairing, windshield, instrument panel, saddle bags and wheel pants.
Both models require 30–40 hours to assemble from the supplied kit.
Operational history The Aerotrike series were the choice of Mike Blyth for his record long-distance flights. The first in 1995 was from Cape Town, South Africa to North Cape, Norway a distance of and the second was an around-the-world flight of .
Variants Cobra Fully equipped version with full cockpit fairing. Standard engine is Rotax 912UL four-stroke with the Rotax 912ULS optional. It was previously available with the Rotax 582 two-stroke powerplant. The standard wing is the Aeros Stream 16.2, with the Aeros Proto 15.5 and La Mouette wings as optional. Standard fuel is . Still in production, 70 had been completed and flown by 2005. Naked Cobra Cobra trike, but without the cockpit fairing included, making the aircraft lighter and less expensive. Safari Very basic model without cockpit fairing. Standard engine is Rotax 503 with the Rotax 582 two-stroke optional. When it was still in production the Rotax 618 was available. The standard wing is the Aerotrike Spirit 14.8. Out of production, 45 had been completed and flown as of 2000. Scout Basic-equipped version without cockpit fairing, but with suspension. Standard engine is Rotax 503 with the Rotax 582 two-stroke or HKS 700E four-stroke engine optional. When it was still in production the Rotax 618 was available as well. The standard wing is the Aerotrike Spirit 14.8, with the Aerotrike Spirit 16.2, La-Mouette Ghost 12.9, La Mouette Ghost 14.9 and La-Mouette Chronos 16 wings as optional. Standard fuel is . Still in production, 45 had been completed and flown as of 2000. Spirit Fully equipped version with full cockpit fairing. Standard engine is Rotax 582 two-stroke. Standard fuel is . No longer in production.
Specifications (Scout with Spirit 14.8 wing)
See also
References
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