Aero Concepts Discovery

The Aero Concepts Discovery is an American amateur-built aircraft, produced by Aero Concepts of Florida. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

Discovery
Role Amateur-built aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Aero Concepts
Designer Martin Hollmann
Introduction mid-1990s
Status In production (2011)
Number built 3
Unit cost
US$35,000 (kit, 2011)

Design and development

The Discovery is a three lifting surface aircraft that features a cantilever mid-wing, a twin boom high tail, a canard surface, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft is made from composites. Its 30 ft (9.1 m) span wing employs a NASA NLF-0215 airfoil and has an area of 125 sq ft (11.6 m2). The canard uses the same airfoil, while the tailplane uses a NASA 63218. The aircraft's recommended engine power range is 160 to 230 hp (119 to 172 kW) and standard engines used include the 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 four-stroke powerplant. Construction time from the supplied kit is 1200 hours.[1][2]

The company plans to develop the design into a light-sport aircraft, a jet-powered version and four-seat variant as well.[2]

Operational history

By the end of 2011 three examples had been reported as completed and flown.[1]

Specifications (Discovery)

Data from Kitplanes[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 17.9 ft (5.5 m)
  • Wingspan: 30 ft (9.1 m)
  • Wing area: 125 sq ft (11.6 m2)
  • Empty weight: 860 lb (390 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,620 lb (735 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 30 U.S. gallons (110 L; 25 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 180 hp (130 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 225 mph (362 km/h, 196 kn)
  • Stall speed: 58 mph (93 km/h, 50 kn)
  • Range: 650 mi (1,050 km, 560 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 2,300 ft/min (12 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 13.0 lb/sq ft (63 kg/m2)

References
  1. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 38. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. Aero Concepts (2001). "Discovery Specifications". Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
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