Rainbow Aerotrike Explained

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.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

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 102550NaN0 and the second was an around-the-world flight of 290000NaN0.

Variants

Cobra
  • Fully equipped version with full cockpit fairing. Standard engine is 800NaN0 Rotax 912UL four-stroke with the 1000NaN0 Rotax 912ULS optional. It was previously available with the 640NaN0 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 500NaN0 Rotax 503 with the 640NaN0 Rotax 582 two-stroke optional. When it was still in production the 740NaN0 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 500NaN0 Rotax 503 with the 640NaN0 Rotax 582 two-stroke or 600NaN0 HKS 700E four-stroke engine optional. When it was still in production the 740NaN0 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.[7]
    Spirit
  • Fully equipped version with full cockpit fairing. Standard engine is 640NaN0 Rotax 582 two-stroke. Standard fuel is . No longer in production.

    Notes and References

    1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-1. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
    2. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 108. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
    3. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 235. BAI Communications.
    4. Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 49. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
    5. Downey, Julia: 2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 49. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    6. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, pages 219-220. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
    7. Web site: Aerotrike Scout Operator's Manual. 18 February 2011. Rainbow Aircraft. n.d..

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