Wheeler Express

{{Infobox aircraft | name = Express | logo = | logo_size = | image = Wheeler Express.jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Experimental Aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Wheeler Technology<br />Express Design, Inc.<br />Express Aircraft Company, LLC<br />Composite Aircraft Technology, LLC | design_group = | designer = Ken Wheeler | builder = | issuer = | status = | 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 = 1984 | retired = | first_flight = 28 July 1987 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = Express Series 90 | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Wheeler Express''' (or later known as '''EDI Express''') is a four-seat low-wing composite homebuilt aircraft. thumb|right|Wheeler Express takeoff

==Development== Designed by Ken Wheeler and developed by Wheeler Technology as a high-speed homebuilt aircraft for cross-country flights, the first of the kit built prototypes was first flown on 28 July 1987, a factory-built aircraft first flew in 1990. Wheeler Technology went into bankruptcy and the assets were bought by Express Design Incorporated (EDI) of Redmond, Oregon. Kits that were under construction were completed by EDI and they continued with kit production. A six-seat variant was produced by EDI as the '''Loadmaster 3200'''. EDI closed its doors and disconnected telephone lines after it filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on 6 January 1996.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=EDI Files Chapter 7 - or: Here We Go Again...!|author=Copeland Brothers, Inc.|periodical=Express Link Newsletter|date=February 1996}}</ref>

In 1997, Paul Fagerstrom of Express Aircraft Company, LLC (EAC) purchased rights to the Express cruciform plans, machine tools, jigs, inventory, engineering records, and production potential. Together with Larry Olsen, daily operations manager, production was moved to Olympia, Washington. EAC planned to use subcontractors with extensive Glasair experience to build fiberglass components.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=We're On Again! The "Orphan" Is "Re-Adopted"|author=Copeland Brothers, Inc.|periodical=Express Link Newsletter|date=June 1997}}</ref> EAC later became a subsidiary of Exosphere Aircraft Company, Inc. and in 2005 Madison Bay Holding, Inc. acquired a 20% stake in Exosphere.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/fr/news-release/2005/09/26/333941/5667/en/Madison-Bay-Holdings-Acquires-Stake-in-Light-Sport-Aircraft-Company.html |title=Madison Bay Holdings Acquires Stake in Light-Sport Aircraft Company |author=|date=September 26, 2005 |website=GlobeNewswire.com |access-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition'', page 153. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref>

In September 2007, Darrell Peterson, president of Composite Aircraft Technology, LLC. (CAT), purchased and acquired all assets of the former EAC through bankruptcy court. CAT moved business and production to Toledo, Washington. and provides kits, Builder Assistance Programs, and parts supply. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://generalaviationnews.com/2009/09/03/express-aircraft-returns/ |title= Express Aircraft Returns |last=Godlewski |first=Meg |date=September 3, 2009 |website=General Aviation News |access-date=November 16, 2021}} </ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/threads/express-aircraft-purchased-finally.1609/ |title=Express-Aircraft purchased, finally |last=Midniteoyl |date=July 8, 2005 |website=HomebuiltAirplanes.com |access-date=November 16, 2021}} </ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.express-builder.com/old/forum/messages/29/1568.html?1203874820 |title=The New Express company owner Darrell... |last=Peterson |first=Darrell |date=September 24, 2007 |website=Express Builders Forum |access-date=November 16, 2021}} </ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.compairtechllc.com/about.asp |title= About Composite Aircraft Technology, LLC |last=Peterson |first=Darrell |date=February 2011 |website=Composite Aircraft Technology, LLC. |access-date= November 16, 2021}} </ref>

==Design== The fiberglass composite compound curved fuselage was chosen to reduce the number of stiffeners and stringers needed. The design used an unusual seating position where one rear seat faced forward and one aft to maximize interior space. The fuselage was built with similar construction methods to Glasair aircraft<ref name="Dick Cavin">{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|title=Wheeler Express|date=Nov 1987 | first=Dick | last=Cavin}}</ref> with a Cruciform tail. The aircraft was only produced in kit form with five main packages that included pre-cut ribs, pre-welded steel assemblies, and a spar prebonded to the upper wing surface.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Air Progress|date=August 1989|title=Express Lane|author=David Gustafson}}</ref>

The cabin width is {{convert|46|in|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Aerocrafter" />

==Operational history== A crash of an early example of the Wheeler Express was said to demonstrate the airframe's safety due to the energy absorption during the non-fatal crash.<ref>{{cite news|title=Saved By The Plane He Crashed Kit Aircraft's Design Cushioned Impact|author=Darrl Glover|newspaper=Seattle Pi}}</ref> Although the airframe is touted as being structurally sound, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a July 2015 report in which it cited pilot error and aircraft design, specifically the cruciform tail’s yaw stability, as a possible culprit to a fatal Wheeler Express accident in which the pilot failed to maintain airspeed during a maneuver resulting in a stall. All three lives were lost. Critics and Wheeler Express pilots argue that the loss of control was simply pilot error and that any plane involved in a high-angle steep turn would experience a stall below Vs, or stall speed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://generalaviationnews.com/2017/07/28/airplanes-design-contributes-to-fatal-accident/ |title= Airplane's design contributes to fatal accident |author=General Aviation News Staff |date=July 28, 2017 |website=General Aviation News |access-date=November 16, 2021}} </ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91647 |title=Project Summary: Aviation Investigation - 10 Docket Items - CEN15FA321 |author= |date=May 31, 2016 |website=National Transportation Safety Board |access-date=November 16, 2021}} </ref>

==Variants== * Wheeler Express FT — Fixed landing gear * Wheeler Express RG — Retractable landing gear

==Specifications == Source: Express Aircraft Company {{Aircraft specs |ref=Cavin and Purdy<ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="Dick Cavin"/> |prime units?=kts  |genhide= |crew=one |capacity=three passengers |length m= |length ft=26 |length in=0 |length note= |span m= |span ft=31 |span in=6 |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=130.0 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil=NASA NLF-1(0215)F |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=1825 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=3200 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|92|u.s.gal}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Lycoming IO-540 |eng1 type= |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=250

|prop blade number=2 |prop name=constant-speed propeller |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=  |perfhide= |max speed kmh= |max speed mph=225 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=220 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=54 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note=flaps down |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles=1800 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=24000 |ceiling note= |g limits=+8.8 -4.4 |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1800 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft=24.6 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Wheeler Express}} * [http://www.compairtechllc.com/index.asp Composite Aircraft Technology homepage]

Category:Homebuilt aircraft Category:Express aircraft