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AV-60
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| The AV-60 in flight |
structure of the AV-60 |
| (click on the pictures to enlarge
them in a new window) |
This small one-seater airplane,
comparable to the JODEL D-9 "bébé" or to the DRUINE "Turbulent",
was designed specifically for amateur builders. The prototype was constructed
by Leonard D. Wolff (assisted by his friend Davidson) at Houston, Texas
in the United States. The AV-60 made its first flight on July 14,
1963, piloted by Davidson, when it actually became airborne during a "planned
high speed taxi run". The plane was exhibited at the National Air
Show in Texas on November 3, 1963, where it was a big success.
Christened
as Leprechaun (the imp of Irish folklore), the AV-60 had
been developed by Charles Fauvel in collaboration with G.
Jacquemin, an aeronautical engineer working in Canada.
The construction plans were produced in English. It is a
low aspect ratio flying wing, with a nose-mounted
Volkswagen engine (converted for aircraft use) of 1300
cc, weighing 48 kg and developing 40 Horsepower at 3500
RPM. A formed plexiglas bubble canopy covers the cockpit
which is located over the low wing. The most remarkable
characteristic is the absence of a long conventional
fuselage structure with a laminated wood shell structure
comprising the vertical stabilizer and the rudder attach
beam being further braced by a triangular tubular beam
from the wing itself. The prototype was equipped with a
standard fixed tricycle landing gear, based on that of
the TIPPSY Nipper.
| Characteristics
and performance of the AV-60 |
| Wing Span |
7
m |
| Length |
4
m |
| Empty Weight |
220
kg |
| Max Gross Weight |
350
kg |
| Maximum Speed |
157
km/h |
| Cruise speed |
128
km/h |
| Takeoff Distance |
180
m |
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Introduction
