The Aurora is a home builders
derivative of the Piagio Avanti P-180. The three flying surface
arrangement provides numerous advantages, some aerodynamic and some
ergonomic, but also represents a technological elegance not
duplicated until now. Aurora's overall size is very similar to the
Aerostar 601, but the cabin interior is lengthened and widen
slightly to provide Baron class 6-place seating. The emerging Aero-Deisel
engine designs were selected for the baseline design as a reliable
and low cost horsepower / dollar powerplant that ultimately inspired
the overall Aurora configuration. Automotive, turbine and fan jet
engines are also viable possibilities. Future extensions of the
design include pressurization possibly in the experimental version.
he wing system
The three surface wing system
provides adequate wing area necessary for high speed cruise and a
reasonable stall speed using a 30% chord, 70% span fowler flap
system. The wing area is about 20% less than a similar light twin
because it's empty weight is lighter by about 1400 pounds. A high
cruise speed was one of the key design requirements to provide
relatively high efficiency, range and block to block times. Some
runway length was sacrificed to achieve this goal, but this
compromise affords speed to those of us who are time
conscious. The builder will have to make a canard but it will be
easy to assemble and relatively small (about 8 feet from tip to
tip). Laminar flow airfoils are used on all flying surfaces. Because
of the "canard-like" stall characteristics of the three surface
arrangement the front wing unloads before the main wing resulting in
a gentle nose down at the stall break.
the cabin
The fuselage is about 24 feet long
from nose to rudder post. The Aurora is a cabin class aircraft that
can be constructed in a relatively small space. Interior cabin
volume and seating is similar to the Seneca IV but in reverse. Cabin
width at the pilot/copilot seats is about 47 inches and widens to a
maximum width of 50 inches near the second row of seats. Cabin width
at the aft seats is about 51 inches. Cabin height at the pilot/copilot
seats is about 45 inches and tapers to about 48 inches at the aft
seats. A small aisle exists between the first two rows of seats.
Cabin access/egress is via a single overhead door and step between
the front and mid seats on the left side of the fuselage (ala Lear
and Avanti).
The aircraft is being designed with a 4300 lb
gross weight at +6,-3 G limit loads. Following structural testing
the gross weight will be increased for +4.4,-2.2 G limit loads
(utility category). With an estimated empty weight of 2250 to 2300
lbs, Aurora will have a payload of about 1700 lbs. Aurora has been
designed to accommodate 6 full size, FAA 170 lb passengers, but a
95% human model (6'-4") was used to verify interior space for the
pilot/copilot. Just about right for the wife and kids with plenty of
luggage (51 cubic feet).
