Lucas L7
| L7 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Amateur-built aircraft |
| National origin | France |
| Designer | Emile Lucas |
| Status | Plans available (2012) |
The Lucas L7, also called the L 7 and L-7, is a French amateur-built aircraft that was designed by Emile Lucas of Lagny-le-Sec. The aircraft is supplied in the form of plans for amateur construction.[1][2]
Design and development
[edit]The L7 features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit with doors for access, fixed main tricycle landing gear with a retractable nosewheel and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2]
The aircraft is made from sheet aluminum. Its 10 m (32.8 ft) span wing has an area of 12 m2 (130 sq ft) and mounts both flaps and leading edge slots for STOL performance. The standard engine used is the 118 hp (88 kW) Lycoming O-235 four-stroke powerplant which provides a cruise speed of 175 km/h (109 mph).[1][2]
Reviewers Roy Beisswenger and Marino Boric described the design in a 2015 review as have a "somewhat boxy shape".[2]
Specifications (L7)
[edit]Data from Bayerl and Tacke[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 12 m2 (130 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
- Gross weight: 750 kg (1,653 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 120 litres (26 imp gal; 32 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-235 four cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 88 kW (118 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed metal
Performance
- Maximum speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn)
- Cruise speed: 175 km/h (109 mph, 94 kn)
- Stall speed: 70 km/h (43 mph, 38 kn)
- Rate of climb: 3.5 m/s (690 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 62.5 kg/m2 (12.8 lb/sq ft)