Eagle 150B

Background

The Eagle is a truely international aircraft. Designed by John Ronsz (an American), the manufacturing rights are owned by a Malaysian company (Composite Technology Research), and construction occurs in West Australia. The factory in Fremantle (Eagle Aircraft P/L) was set up in 1985, and the Eagle 150A was first flown in March 1988 (and certified on November 13, 1996). After 15 were built the 150B was introduced. This was certified in Australia on November 11, 1997 and FAA certification followed on February 11, 1999.

The largely composite aircraft is made distinctive by the extremely staggered biplane design. Featuring kevlar, carbon fibre, nomex, and fibreglass in its construction, the fuselage is in two subassemblies which can be disassembled for road transport. The wings are integral to the forward assembly, and the vertical stabiliser is part of the rear. The aircraft features ailerons on the rear mainplanes, but has electric flaps on both sets of planes. The aircraft is promoted in both the training and recreational roles, and is reported as having been used for forestry surveillance in Australia.

Up to July 1, 2001, three Eagle aircraft have appeared in New Zealand. The first was a 150A model imported for five days in November 1997 to appear in a display. The other two became resident. These are:

• ZK-EGL (c/n 019) Initially registered VH-NZL to Eagle Aircraft P/L, the aircraft was flown to New Zealand in December 1998. The flight from Perth to Sydney took 18.5 hours with five stops. The trans-Tasman flight via Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands took a further 12 hours. Delivered to Ardmore on December 20, 1998 for Dennis Thompson International Ltd, the aircraft's Australian registration was cancelled on May 12, 1999 and the aircraft received its New Zealand registration on May 19. (NZ type acceptance having occurred on May 5, 1999). The aircraft has subsequently been used as a demonstrator. (Illustrated below).
• ZK-PNM (c/n 035) was also registered as VH-NZL to Eagle Aircraft P/L on November 11, 2000. The aircraft arrived at Ardmore on November 29, and was registered on December 7, 2000 (the Australian registration having been cancelled the previous day. The aircraft was delivered to its new owners at Oware (near Wyndham) in Southland on December 16, 2000.

Last Update:- 26 July, 2001

Technical Data

• Accommodation : 2
• Dimensions
  • Span : 7.16m (23'6ft)
  • Length : 6.45m (21'2ft)
  • Height : 2.32m (7'7ft)
• Weight
  • empty : 427kg (941lb)
  • max : 650kg (1430lb)
• Power Plant : 125hp Telydyne Continental IO-240B
• Performance :
• max speed : 240km/h (150mph)
• max climb : 1051ft/min (320m/min)
• ceiling : ft (m)
• range : 963km (602miles)

Images

© 2000-2001 Phillip Treweek, all rights reserved