Cheetah XLS Certification

[syvertsonj]

I just wanted to post a note here to let others on the bb know that the Cheetah XLS has achieved its certification as a light sport aircraft.

More details are available at http://www.CheetahUS.com



If you have any questions, I'd be happy to discuss them here.

Sincerely,

Jon

[comperini]

I notice the empty weight and useful load for the plane are identical, no matter which engine is installed. Wouldn't the Jabiru or Rotax 912 weigh more than the Rotax 582 version?

[Cub flyer]

Whats the tab on the aileron connected to? Electric trim?

How does it fly. How's the gear suspension system.

Looks similar to the Skyranger but some differences. The X air and Rans S-6 look simiar also but the structure is totally different.

What engine is in the one in the photo?

[syvertsonj]

I notice the empty weight and useful load for the plane are identical, no matter which engine is installed. Wouldn't the Jabiru or Rotax 912 weigh more than the Rotax 582 version?

Hello, We will have to get some updates from the manufacturer. We utilized the manufacturers table and there is obviously some difference. The jabiru 2200a is about the same as a 582, maybe 2 to 3 lbs more heavy so it is very minor. The useful load on the last aircraft was about 580 lbs with the gross being at 1245 lbs. This was on a jabiru 2200 aircraft.

The 912 comes in at about 140 lbs vs 132 lbs for the jabiru so all three engines are within about 10 lbs of each other.

I appoligize for the late response. For some reason, I am not getting notified or the email was dropped so I am very sorry for our late response.

Sincerely,

Jon

[syvertsonj]

Whats the tab on the aileron connected to? Electric trim?

How does it fly. How's the gear suspension system.

Looks similar to the Skyranger but some differences. The X air and Rans S-6 look simiar also but the structure is totally different.

What engine is in the one in the photo?

hello Cub flyer. Very sorry for the late response. for some reason I did not know this was posted so my sincere apologies.

The tab on the aileron is attached to trailing edge spar where the aileron is hinged to. It is fixed in place but moves as the ailerons go up and down. What this functions as is a ground adjustable aileron trim, but primarily it will lighten the load on the stick. without it it is a bit heavy. I haven't flown a cub but understand aileron control is heavy. It probably takes about half the load off of the aileron control by having this. It is called an aileron aerodynamic compensator. It works the same as like an elevator trim only there is no in-flight adjustments allowed.
The construction is probably most like a sky ranger but I believe it is a stronger aircraft. for certification in south africa it was load tested to breakage at +6G -4G at 1245 lbs with 1.5 times for a safety factor. so, it broke beyond 9G's on the wing.

The wings spars are undergoing a design change and will be tested again in march sometime. The design criteria is to provide a 1320 lbs gross with +6G -4G load on the wing.

It fly's very conventional and predictable, and is a pussy cat with very docile flight characteristices. for those used to flying cessna 150 or 172, you will have to utilize the rudder more often. Slips well with or without flaps and has excellent slow flight characteristics. can safely be drug in where short field landing is required but ofcourse practice where you have some safety margin.

Gear suspension is spring loaded struts both main and front(if it is a nose dragger)

The engine in the photo is showing the Jabiru motor.

Sincere regards, and sorry for the late post.

Jon

[Cub flyer]

Thanks. Answers the questions I had.

My X air had low gross weight tube spars and they would flex opposite of the aileron and reversed some of the effectiveness at cruise speed.

I tried making spades but with limited success. the aileron tab is a good idea.