Apex Eco 6

{{Infobox aircraft | name = Apex Eco 6 | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Ultralight trike]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[Czech Republic]] | manufacturer = [[To-Mi Aviation]]<br />[[Apex Aviation (Czech company)|Apex Aviation]] | 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 = | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Apex Eco 6''' is the first of a family of [[Czech Republic|Czech]] single and two seat [[flying wing]] [[ultralight trike]]s that were designed and produced by [[To-Mi Aviation]] and later by [[Apex Aviation (Czech company)|Apex Aviation]]. The aircraft were supplied as kits for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]].<ref name="Cliche">Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page C-5. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|0-9680628-1-4}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000">Downey, Julia: ''2000 Trike and 'Chute Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 17, Number 2, February 2000, page 45. 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 47. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition'', page 276. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref>

==Design and development== The single seat Eco 6 was designed to comply with the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of {{convert|254|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. It 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]].<ref name="Cliche" />

The aircraft is made from bolted-together [[aluminum]] tubing with steel brackets, with its single surface wing covered in [[Dacron]] sailcloth. Its {{convert|9.60|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing is supported by a single tube-type [[kingpost]] and uses an "A" frame control bar. A variety of single-surfaced wings can be used on the Eco 6, with wing areas ranging from {{convert|14.0|to|16.1|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}. The Eco 6 had a factory option of a Galaxy [[ballistic parachute]]. The standard engine supplied was the {{convert|30|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 447]].<ref name="Cliche" />

Developed from the Eco 6 were two two-seat models, the Dolphin 3 and the Cross 5. The three aircraft line commenced production in the mid-1980s and was introduced into the [[United States]] in 1997, represented in the US by AKS of [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref name="Cliche" />

==Operational history== The Cross 5 model was supplied to the [[Czech Air Force]].<ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" />

==Variants== ;Eco 6 :Single-seat model with a [[Rotax 447]] engine of {{convert|30|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} or a [[Rotax 503]] engine of {{convert|37|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}}. Acceptable power range is {{convert|34|to|48|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}}. Fifteen had been completed and flown by February 2000.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /> ;Dolphin 3 :Two-seat [[tandem]] model with a useful load of {{convert|319|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}, powered by a [[Rotax 503]] engine of {{convert|37|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}}, a {{convert|48|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 582]] or [[SVS-1400]] engine<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" /> ;Cross 5 :Two-seat tandem model with a steel tube frame and a gross weight of {{convert|450|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. Can accept any engine under {{convert|75|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} in weight, including the {{convert|45|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} [[Zanzottera MZ 201]]. Fifteen had been completed and flown by February 2000. Construction time from the kit was reported as 100 hours.<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2005" /> ;Cross 5x :Version of the Cross 5 with higher and wider seats<ref name="Aerocrafter" />

==Specifications (Eco 6) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cliche and Kitplanes<ref name="Cliche" /><ref name="KitplanesFeb2000" /> |prime units?=met  |genhide=

|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=6 |length in=6 |length note= |span m= |span ft=31 |span in=6 |span note= |height m= |height ft=8 |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=160 |wing area note=typical wing fitted |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=70.5 |empty weight note=plus wing and engine |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=475 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|17|L}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Rotax 503]] |eng1 type=twin cylinder, [[two-stroke]] aircraft engine |eng1 kw=37 |eng1 hp=

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=35 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph= |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=90 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=950 |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}}

[[Category:1980s Czechoslovak ultralight aircraft]] [[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:Ultralight trikes]]