Air Creation Racer

{{Short description|French ultralight trike}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use British English|date=January 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Racer | logo = | logo_size = | image = Air Creation RACER 503 SL C-IECN 04.JPG | alt = | caption = Racer 503 | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight trike]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[France]] | manufacturer = [[Air Creation]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Production completed | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = 1985-2010 | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} [[File:Air Creation RACER 503 SL C-IECN 08.JPG|right|thumb|Air Creation Racer powered by a [[Rotax 503]]]] [[File:Air Creation RACER 503 SL C-IECN 07.JPG|right|thumb|Air Creation Racer]] The '''Air Creation Racer''' is a French single-seat, weight-shift control [[ultralight trike]] that was built by [[Air Creation]] of [[Aubenas]] between 1986 and 2010. It was available in kit form for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]] or as a completed aircraft.<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page C-2. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="AC">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aircreation.fr/anglais/Products/Trikes/tabid/101/language/en-US/Default.aspx |title = Racer ... 1985 to 2010 ..25 years in production |accessdate = 18 February 2011|last = [[Air Creation]]|authorlink = |year = 2011}}</ref><ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 91. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000">Downey, Julia: ''2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 44. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', pages 102-103. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref>

==Design and development== The Racer was developed as a lightweight trike that can qualify for the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] category, including its {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} maximum empty weight requirement, when equipped with a light wing and engine.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" />

The carriage is of [[aluminium]] construction and incorporates suspension on all three wheels. The nosewheel-mounted [[drum brake]] is foot-pedal actuated. The nosewheel is also steerable and features a mudguard. The carriage features baggage stowage pockets and optionally a cockpit fairing and [[wheel pants]]. The carriage can be equipped with several different wings. When fitted with the [[Air Creation Fun 14]] 40% double surface wing, the aircraft version is called the ''Fun Racer''. The ''Fun'' wing is covered in [[Trilam]] sailcloth and allows a maximum speed of {{convert|54|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} and a service ceiling of {{convert|15000|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="Cliche" />

The Racer's acceptable power range is {{convert|40|to|65|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and the {{convert|40|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 447]], {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] and the {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] engines are used. By 2011 the Rotax 447 and 503 were out of production and Air Creation offered a version of the Racer without an included engine so that the owner could locate a used 447, 503 or other suitable powerplant. The estimated assembly time from the supplied kit is 40 hours.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 200. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref>

Reviewer Andre Cliche said of the Racer, "Quick and agile, the Fun Racer shows all the refinement expected from European trikes...This is a well engineered trike and company support is excellent."<ref name="Cliche" />

==Variants== ;Fun Racer :Racer carriage equipped with the ''Fun 14'' wing. This wing provides docile handling and ease of rigging. Standard empty weight of {{convert|247|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} when equipped with the [[Rotax 447]] engine.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /> ;XP Racer :Racer carriage equipped with the ''XP11'' racing wing, giving a {{convert|75|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} cruise speed. Standard empty weight of {{convert|271|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} when equipped with the [[Rotax 503]] engine.<ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /> {| class="wikitable" !Variant !Wing Type !Engine !Empty Weight !Cruise Speed |- |'''Fun Racer''' |Air Création Fun 14 (40% double-surface Trilam) |Rotax 447 (40 hp) |~247 lb (112 kg) |Max ~54 mph (87 km/h) |- |'''XP Racer''' |XP11 racing wing |Rotax 503 (50 hp) |~271 lb (123 kg) |Cruise ~75 mph (121 km/h) |}

==Specifications (Fun Racer) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche<ref name="Cliche" /> and Purdy<ref name="Aerocrafter" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=9 |length in=0 |length note= |span m= |span ft=33 |span in=0 |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=145 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=246 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=600 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|5|gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 447]] |eng1 type= |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=40

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=54 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=45 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=22 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=15000 |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1100 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= *[[Rainbow Aerotrike]] |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Official website|http://www.aircreation.fr/}} {{Air Creation aircraft}}

[[Category:1980s French ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Ultralight trikes]] [[Category:Air Creation aircraft|Racer]]