Air Creation Racer Explained

The Air Creation Racer is a French single-seat, weight-shift control ultralight trike that was built by Air Creation of Aubenas between 1986 and 2010. It was available in kit form for amateur construction or as a completed aircraft.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Design and development

The Racer was developed as a lightweight trike that can qualify for the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, including its 2540NaN0 maximum empty weight requirement, when equipped with a light wing and engine.

The carriage is of aluminium construction and incorporates suspension on all three wheels. The nosewheel-mounted drum brake is foot-pedal actuated. The nosewheel is also steerable and features a mudguard. The carriage features baggage stowage pockets and optionally a cockpit fairing and wheel pants. The carriage can be equipped with several different wings. When fitted with the Air Creation Fun 14 40% double surface wing, the aircraft version is called the Fun Racer. The Fun wing is covered in Trilam sailcloth and allows a maximum speed of 540NaN0 and a service ceiling of 150000NaN0

The Racer's acceptable power range is 40to and the 400NaN0 Rotax 447, 500NaN0 Rotax 503 and the 640NaN0 Rotax 582 engines are used. By 2011 the Rotax 447 and 503 were out of production and Air Creation offered a version of the Racer without an included engine so that the owner could locate a used 447, 503 or other suitable powerplant. The estimated assembly time from the supplied kit is 40 hours.[6]

Reviewer Andre Cliche said of the Racer, "Quick and agile, the Fun Racer shows all the refinement expected from European trikes...This is a well engineered trike and company support is excellent."

Variants

Fun Racer
  • Racer carriage equipped with the Fun 14 wing. This wing provides docile handling and ease of rigging. Standard empty weight of 2470NaN0 when equipped with the Rotax 447 engine.
    XP Racer
  • Racer carriage equipped with the XP11 racing wing, giving a 750NaN0 cruise speed. Standard empty weight of 2710NaN0 when equipped with the Rotax 503 engine.

    Notes and References

    1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-2. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
    2. Web site: Racer ... 1985 to 2010 ..25 years in production . 18 February 2011. Air Creation. 2011.
    3. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 91. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
    4. Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 44. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
    5. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, pages 102-103. BAI Communications.
    6. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 200. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X