Air Creation iXess
| iXess | |
|---|---|
| |
| iXess wing mounted on an Air Creation Tanarg trike | |
| Role | Ultralight trike wing |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Air Creation |
| Introduction | circa 2000 |
| Status | In production (2013) |
The Air Creation iXess is a French double-surface ultralight trike wing, designed and produced by Air Creation of Aubenas. The wing is widely used on Air Creation trikes, as well as those of other manufacturers.[1]
Design and development[edit]
The wing is a cable-braced, king post-equipped hang glider-style wing designed as a high performance and competition wing for two-place trikes, although it is also used for flight training. It currently comes in one size, the iXess 15, named for its metric wing area of 15 m2 (160 sq ft), although a 13 m2 (140 sq ft) version was once available.[1][2]
The wing is made from bolted-together aluminium tubing, with its 90% double surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 10 m (32.8 ft) span wing has a nose angle of 120°, an aspect ratio of 6.66:1 and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar.[1][3]
Originally the top-of-the line wing in Air Creation's catalog, the iXess has lost that position to the Air Creation BioniX, although the iXess remained in production through 2013.[1][2]
Operational history[edit]
The iXess has been widely used in microlight competition and was used to win World Championships in 2001, 2005 and 2007, as well as the European Championships in 2002, 2004 and 2006.[2]
Variants[edit]
- iXess 13
- 13 m2 (140 sq ft) version, no longer in production[1]
- iXess 15
- 15 m2 (160 sq ft) version, still in production in 2013[1][2]
Applications[edit]
- Air Creation iXess Clipper 582[4]
- Air Creation Skypper[1]
- Air Creation Tanarg[1]
- Air Creation Trek[1]
- Apollo Jet Star
- Take Off Merlin
- Ventura 1200
Specifications (iXess 15)[edit]
Data from Bayerl and Air Creation[1][3]
General characteristics
- Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 15 m2 (160 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 6.66:1
- Empty weight: 53 kg (117 lb) wing weight
- Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb) maximum aircraft gross weight allowed
Performance
- Stall speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)
- g limits: +6/-3 at 450 kg (992 lb)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 200. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ a b c d Air Creation (n.d.). "iXess". Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ a b Air Creation (n.d.). "iXess 15 Specifications" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ^ Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, pages 91-92. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
External links[edit]
