The Texan is an Italian ultralight and light-sport aircraft, designed and now produced by Gryphen Aircraft Industries Srl (ex- Fly Synthesis) and which has been in production since 1999. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 52. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485XTacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 55. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
Design and development The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules and US light-sport aircraft rules. It features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed or retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.
The aircraft is made from carbon fibre. Its span wing has an area of and flaps. Standard engines available are the Rotax 912UL, the Rotax 912ULS and the Jabiru 2200 four-stroke powerplants.
In 2022 a new version of the TEXAN was introduced, with retractable gear and Rotax 915 engine, producing
Operational history On 23 November 2013, six Texans broke the Guinness world record for the lowest flying formation by flying at below sea level at the Dead Sea in Israel.AOPA Israel (November 2013) New Israeli Guinness Record of lowest, below sea level, formation flight has been broken 23 November 2013 , retrieved 13 March 2014
Variants
Texan 600 Version with a gross weight of and with fixed landing gear, for the United States light-sport aircraft class. Known as the Lafayette Texan in the US. Texan Top Class Version with a gross weight of and with fixed landing gear, for the European microlight aircraft class. Texan Club Version of the Texan Top Class with a gross weight of , with fixed landing gear and equipped with an Rotax 912UL engine for the European microlight aircraft class. Texan RG Version of the Texan Top Class with a gross weight of and retractable landing gear for the European microlight aircraft class.
Specifications (the new - Texan GTR 915)
See also Similar aircraft Sunward Aurora
References
External links