TYPE: Two-seat lightplane.
PROGRAMME: Design, by the team that created the Europa kitbuilt, began in 1997. Announced 26 May 2000; mockup displayed at NBAA Convention in New Orleans and AOPA-USA Convention in Long Beach during October 2000, when Scaled Technology Works (STW) announced as manufacturing partner, but partnership ended in 2003 when STW closed.
'Official' first flight of prototype (N202XL) 2 April 2001, followed by public debut at EAA Sun 'n' Fun at Lakeland, Florida later that month; second prototype and sales demonstrator (N203XL) appeared at 2002 Sun 'n' Fun fitted with a redesigned engine cowling; production conforming prototype (N240XL) entered the flight test programme in early 2003; FAA FAR Pt 23 certification for day and night VFR anticipated in late July 2003; will be certified for IFR. Target production of 10 in 2003, rising to 140 in 2004, with potential for up to 400 per year.
CURRENT VERSIONS: XL-2: Standard version, adoption of Teledyne Continental IOF-240 engine announced 21 July 2001. As described.
XL-2R: Proposed future version with Rotax 912 S flat-four.
CUSTOMERS: Launch customer Civil Flying School at Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, Australia, ordered two in July 2000; Bill Crokaris of Melbourne has ordered one. First 50 aircraft (for Founders Club members, at special price of US$85,000); more than 50 sold by June 2003.
COSTS: US$129,500 with Continental engine (2003).
DESIGN FEATURES: Based on Europa, but with modifications to optimise airframe for mass production; cabin is 10 cm (4 in) wider than that of Europa. Design goals included low price, efficient high-speed cruise with STOL performance, economy and ease of maintenance, advanced structural materials offering strength and durability, excellent handling with positive stability, and ability to store at home on purpose-designed transporter.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual, via pushrods. Dual controls and adjustable rudder pedals standard. All-moving tailplane with electrically actuated 1.3:1 geared anti-balance/trim tab; mass-balanced ailerons with differential action, maximum deflection +24/-20°; electrically actuated slotted flaps occupying 70 per cent span and 30 per cent chord, maximum deflection 27°; rudder maximum deflection ±30°.
STRUCTURE: Welded 4130 steel tube forward fuselage and centre-section to carry engine, landing gear and wing attachment loads, with modular carbon fibre skin; flying surfaces comprise riveted subassembly with bonded aluminium skin; single-spar wings have optional folding facility, quick connect attachment to centre-section and self-connecting flap and aileron controls; de-riggable tailplane optional. Matrix Composites of Rockledge, Florida, manufactures composites fuselage components, and Heart of Georgia Metal Crafters supplies wings; final assembly by Liberty at Melbourne, Florida.
LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable tricycle type; aluminium main legs; tubular steel nose leg; steering via castoring nosewheel and differential brakes. Cleveland wheels and hydraulic disc brakes. Tyre size 5.00x5.
POWER PLANT: One 93 kW (125 hp) Teledyne Continental IOF-240 flat-four with Aerosance PowerLink FADEC driving a Sensenich two-blade fixed-pitch metal propeller, in standard version. Alternatively, one 73.5 kW (98.6 hp) Rotax 912 S flat-four, driving a purpose-designed two-blade, fixed-pitch carbon fibre Dowty propeller via 2.43:1 reduction gearing. Fuel capacity 106 litres (28 US gallons; 23.3 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Two persons, side by side. Baggage compartment, with cargo net, behind seats, maximum capacity 45 kg (100 lb). Upward-hinged door on port side. Cabin heating.
SYSTEMS: Electrical system powered by 14 V 60 A engine-driven alternator. 14 V battery and 14 V auxiliary power outlet standard.
AVIONICS: Optional Garmin and UPS (Apollo) packages.
Basic VFR: Garmin GNC 250XL VFR GPS/com and GTX 327 transponder/altitude encoder; or UPS Apollo GX 65 GPS/com and SL 70 transponder/altitude encoder.
Basic IFR: Garmin GNS 430 GPS/com/nav/map, GNC 300XL IFR GPS/com, GTX 327 transponder/altitude encoder, GMA 340 audio panel, and GI 102A and GI 106A indicators; or UPS (Apollo) GX 60 GPS/com, SL 30 nav/com/GPS, SL 70 transponder/altitude encoder, SL 15M audio panel, ACU-14V annunciator and Mid-Continent MD200-306 indicator.
Deluxe IFR: as Basic IFR with the addition of second Garmin GNS 430 and substitution of GI 105A indicator for GI 102A; or with addition of UPS (Apollo) MX20 MFD. ELT standard on aircraft for US market, optional elsewhere.
Instrumentation: Vision Microsystems VM1000FX digital engine information display. Sensitive altimeter, magnetic compass, airspeed indicator, vertical speed indicator, electric tachometer, trim position indicator, flap position indicator, electric stall warning, annunciator panel, fuel contents gauge, fuel pressure gauge, manifold pressure gauge, percentage power gauge, OAT gauge, CHT gauge, EGT gauge, oil temperature and pressure gauges, voltmeter, ammeter and quartz clock.
EQUIPMENT: Standard equipment includes tinted windows, windscreen defrost, four-point safety harnesses, cloth upholstery, map/storage pockets, map shelf, baggage restraint net, static port and alternate static port, wingtip navigation lights, anti-collision beacon, tiedown points, fuel quick-drain and white paint finish. Optional equipment includes electric gyro package comprising artificial horizon, direction indicator and turn co-ordinator; pitot heat; speed kit comprising nose- and mainwheel fairings and flap hinge fairings; landing/taxi/instrument/cabin flights; deluxe leather interior; pearlescent exterior paint; choice of two exterior decal designs; and towbar.