Airborne Edge

{{Infobox aircraft | name = Edge | logo = | logo_size = | image = N269D Airborne Edge X (10145650115).jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight trike]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = Australia | manufacturer = [[Airborne Windsports]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | 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 = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} [[File:T2-6180 AirBorne Edge XT-912 (8305504873).jpg|right|thumb|AirBorne Edge XT-912]] [[File:Airborne Edge X Classic (6193462734).jpg|right|thumb|AirBorne Edge X Classic]] The '''Airborne Edge''' is a line of Australian two-seat [[ultralight trike]]s designed and produced by [[Airborne Windsports]] of [[Redhead, New South Wales]]. The aircraft are supplied as a completed aircraft and not as a [[Homebuilt aircraft|kit]].<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page C-10. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 92. 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 48. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="KitplanesFeb2005">Downey, Julia: ''2005 Trikes 'Chutes and Rotorcraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 22, Number 2, February 2005, page 49. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref>

==Design and development== The Edge features a [[Flying wires|cable-braced]] [[hang glider]]-style [[high-wing]], weight-shift controls, a single-seat, open cockpit, [[tricycle landing gear]] and a single engine in [[pusher configuration]]. It has been produced in many different sub-models and is known in 2012 as the ''Classic''.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="WDLA04" />

The aircraft wing is made from bolted-together [[aluminium]] tubing, with its single or optionally double surface wing covered in [[Dacron]] sailcloth. Its {{convert|33.3|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} span wing is supported by a single tube-type [[kingpost]] and uses an "A" frame control bar. The [[landing gear]] features suspension on all three wheels, with the main gear [[Bungee cord|bungee]] suspended and the nose wheel suspended with rubber blocks. The nose wheel steering includes a dampener and [[drum brake]]s. The main wing support mast folds down to allow wing installation. The aircraft can be broken-down for ground transport or storage and assembly for flight can be accomplished in 30 minutes.<ref name="Cliche" />

The Edge includes full dual controls for [[flight training]], including dual steering, dual control bar extenders and two throttles. Engines supplied include the twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]] air-cooled {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] or the liquid-cooled {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]].<ref name="Cliche" />

==Operational history== The Edge was flown in west Africa in aerial support of an [[elephant]] conservation project and was also used in [[Indonesia]] to monitor endangered [[orangutan]] populations.<ref name="Air">{{Cite web|url = http://www.airborne.com.au/pages/ml_classic.php|title = X-Series Classic |accessdate = 12 January 2012|last = AirBorne Australia|date = 2011}}</ref>

==Variants== ;Edge 582 Executive :Fully equipped model with all the options, including full cockpit [[Aircraft fairing|fairing]] and [[wheel pants]], with the Streak double-surface high performance wing and liquid-cooled {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] engine. Sold circa 2000.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /> ;Edge X 503 Wizard :Basic model without fairings to reduce weight and cost, with a single surface wing and air-cooled {{convert|50|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 503]] engine. Sold circa 2000.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /> ;Classic S :Model sold circa 2004. An Edge model with all options and a liquid-cooled {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] powerplant.<ref name="WDLA04" /> ;Edge X TS-912/Streak II XT :Model with all options sold circa 2005, with {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912]] [[four stroke]] powerplant and the double surface Streak XT wing. Cruise speed of {{convert|75|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} and price of US$36,353 in 2005.<ref name="KitplanesFeb2005" /> ;X-Series Classic :Production model as of 2012, with {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] engine, optional Wizard or Streak wing<ref name="Air" />

==Specifications (Edge Wizard) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche<ref name="Cliche" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity=one passenger |length m= |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m= |span ft=33 |span in=4 |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=408 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=900 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|12.7|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 582]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]], liquid-cooled [[aircraft engine]] |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=64

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=55 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=35 |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= |ceiling note= |g limits=+6/-3 |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=750 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

{{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Airborne Edge}} *{{Official website|http://www.airborne.com.au/pages/ml_classic.php}} {{Airborne Windsports aircraft}}

[[Category:1990s Australian ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:Ultralight trikes]]