TechProAviation Merlin 100

Merlin 100
Merlin HV-100
Role Amateur-built aircraft
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer TechProAviation
Introduction 2011
Status In production (2015)
Number built 10 by 2013
Unit cost
5,000 (kit, less engine, 2011)

The TechProAviation Merlin HV 100 is a Czech amateur-built aircraft, designed and produced by TechProAviation of Olomouc. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1][2]

Design and development

The Merlin 100 features a cantilever high-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit accessed via a single door on the fuselage righthand side, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft is made from matched-hole drilled sheet aluminum. Its 7.8 m (25.6 ft) span wing has an area of 7.05 m2 (75.9 sq ft) and mounts flaps. The standard engine used is the 35 hp (26 kW) Verner JCV 360 twin cylinder four-stroke powerplant. Alternative engines include the 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E four-stroke, 50 hp (37 kW) Hirth F-23 and 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 two-stroke powerplants. The aircraft will be marketed as a kit only.[1][2][3]

By mid-2011 only the prototype had flown, logging 100 hours of testing,[1] These tests led to modifications; by November 2012 the prototype had gained a fin fillet and the mainwheel legs were slightly forward raked.[4]

Operational history

By 2013 ten Merlins had been built. Flyaway prices, without tax, are engine dependent; the cheapest is the Verner-engined variant at €15,500 in 2015.[4]

Variants

These are in production in late 2015:[4]

Merlin 100 UL
Version for the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight class,[3] specification below. A tailwheel version was flown in April 2012 and is available.[4]
Merlin 100 ML
Lightened version for the German 120 kg (265 lb) class[5] It has reduced dimensions, with a span of 6.40 m (21 ft 0 in) and length of 5.12 m (16 ft 10 in), a tailwhell undercarriage and is powered by a Polini motorcycle engine. It first flew in late March 2014.[4]
Merlin Mikro
Version with conventional landing gear for the European 120 kg class. Equipped with a Thor 200 powerplant.[2]
Rotax
As 100UL but with a Rotax 582 engine which gives it a speed of 240 km/h (150 mph; 130 kn). An amphibious floatplane version is planned.

Specifications (Merlin 100 UL)

Data from Bayerl and TechProAviation[1][3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 2.12 m (6 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 7.05 m2 (75.9 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 150 kg (331 lb)
  • Gross weight: 300 kg (661 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 50 litres (11 imp gal; 13 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Verner JCV 360 twin cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 26 kW (35 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed composite

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 160 km/h (99 mph; 86 kn)
  • Stall speed: 62 km/h (39 mph; 33 kn) flaps down
  • Never exceed speed: 185 km/h (115 mph; 100 kn)
  • Wing loading: 42.5 kg/m2 (8.7 lb/sq ft)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 123. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 3 4 Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 82. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. 1 2 3 TechProAviation (2011). "Merlin 100 UL". Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Gunston, Bill (2016). Jane's All the World's Aircraft  : development & production : 2016-17. IHS Global. pp. 208–9. ISBN 978-0-7106-3177-0.
  5. TechProAviation (2011). "Merlin 100 ML". Retrieved 24 October 2012.
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