Spartan DFD Aerotome explained

The Spartan DFD Aerotome, or DFS Aerotome Dual, is an American two-seat ultralight trike that was designed and produced by Spartan Microlights.[1] [2] [3]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed as a US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules two-seat trainer. It features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its single surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 361NaN1 span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame control bar. Unlike the Spartan DFS Trike the Aerotome uses only a trike delta wing and cannot be converted for powered parachute use.

The standard engine supplied was the twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled 500NaN0 Rotax 503, with a 5u.s.gal fuel tank. When in production it came with optional dual controls, aero-towing hardware, larger engines and 10u.s.gal fuel tank. Thirty had been completed and flown by February 2000.

Notes and References

  1. Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-27. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001.
  2. Downey, Julia: 2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 48. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 111. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X