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PHOENIX ENDEAVOUR AEROSPACE

The Phoenix has been developed specifically to satisfy pilot training needs from ab-initio up to at least
the first 100 hours of pilot training. Development to date includes a side-by-side and tandem seating
configuration for basic and intermediate pilot training. This provides the possibility of operating a
mixed side-by-side/tandem fleet with a very high degree of commonality.

The engine and major systems are identical and approximately 80% of the airframe structure is
common between the two seating configurations. Handling and performance of the two aircraft will
be almost identical so transition will be minimised. The aircraft has been designed to accommodate
the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25C turboprop engine at either 750 or 850 SHP depending upon
performance needs.

The Phoenix design is of high quality with particular attention given to the following attributes during
design and development:

• Instructor/student safety. • Long fatigue life.


• Human engineering. • Reliability and maintainability.
• Damage tolerance structure.

The cockpit provides an efficient and safe learning environment. Side-by-side seating gives the
optimum instructor/student interface during the early stages of basic training later in the syllabus. In
the tandem configuration locating the student on the aircraft centre-line enhances the learning
environment. The raised rear seat ensures good vision for both student and instructor. Until now, the
choice of a tandem basic trainer has been limited to military applications.

Phoenix has been designed to meet demanding criteria for static and dynamic stability, manoeuvring,
stalling and spinning. The aircraft will accommodate load factors ranging from +7.0g to –3.5g under
maximum operating weight. Considerable effort has been spent on ensuring that all aspects of
spinning are safe and can be executed with minimum risk of pilot disorientation. This aspect of the
design has been developed and proven using scale model testing in the NASA Langley vertical spin
tunnel to ensure the highest levels of flight safety throughout this manoeuvre.

Maximum utilisation of the aircraft has been a key design criterion. The mission profile that was used
to establish fuel requirements is as follows:

1. Start, take off, and initial climb for 3 minutes at maximum take off rating.
2. Climb to 15,000 ft.
3. Cruise/general handling at 15,000 ft for 20 minutes at maximum continuous rating.
4. Cruise at 15,000 ft at optimum range speed for 15 minutes.
5. Descend to 2,000 ft.
6. Cruise at 2,000 ft at optimum range speed for 13 minutes.
7. Descend to circuit height and land
8. Repeat phases 1 to 6.
9. Climb to optimum range altitude and cruise 120 nautical miles.
10. Descend and land with 10% fuel remaining.

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Instructor/Student Safety

Pilot safety is also a major design criterion for the Phoenix and has been the subject of substantial
inputs from training organisations and aviation research. Significant safety features include:

• An integral overturn truss • Engine fire extinguishing (optional)


• Crashworthy cockpit • Engine anti-icing
• Engine fire detection (standard).

The 13 ft track and 10 ft wheelbase means excellent ground handling, and combined with low
pressure (42psi) tyres allows operations from unsealed runways. The robust tricycle landing gear that
has been designed to absorb sink rates up to 13 feet per second also facilitates rough field operations
and provides a safety feature for students.

The Phoenix's low stalling speed and predictable stalling behaviour both contribute to safety in the
approach mode and during low level flying operations. Good take off and landing distances allow the
use of shorter runways. The Phoenix's overall configuration contributes to safe handling in
crosswinds of 25 to 30 knots.

Cockpit Environment

The design recognises that a comfortable and efficient cockpit is essential in order to optimise student
learning and retention. Considerable attention has been given to all ergonomic attributes of the
cockpit. Both cockpit configurations have been designed to accommodate students of all sizes in
comfort and safety.

Cockpit equipment includes a high capacity environmental control system and a low-pressure
diluter/demand oxygen system. Partial cockpit pressurisation is available to provide an improved
operating environment for sustained higher attitude flying and to reduce instructor fatigue on multiple
sorties. Comprehensive instrumentation and avionics are standard, with adequate space and power to
allow a wide range of customer options. The Phoenix is designed to be capable of safe operation
under day and night instrument flight rules and in all except the most extreme weather conditions.

Reliability and Maintainability

The Phoenix is designed to meet a high level of operational readiness and low maintenance costs to
minimize total life cost of ownership. An extensive maintainability program has been undertaken
utilizing the full scale aircraft engineering mock-up. The amount of detail incorporated into the mock-
up is such that it is virtually a non-flying prototype. The results of the maintainability assessment have
been incorporated into the design.

To achieve safety and service life goals damage tolerance design philosophies have been applied to the
structure. The structural loads are based on a load spectrum derived from training experience. An
extensive structural test programme has been undertaken to prove this aspect of the airframe design.
This includes a major fatigue-testing program that has been undertaken by Australia's Aeronautical
Research Laboratories, a world leader in fatigue analysis and testing.

The lessons learnt maintaining aircraft operating in demanding environments where aircraft are
exposed to salt water, high humidity, and high ambient temperatures have been incorporated into the
design through choice of corrosion resistant materials, corrosion protection during manufacturing and
weatherproofing.

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Engine PT6A-25C Engine PT6A-25C
Phoenix Specifications
750 SHP 850 SHP
Aircraft Length Overall 33.5 ft
Height Overall 11.5 ft
Propeller Diameter 7.5 ft 7.7 ft
Wing Span 36 ft
Area 215 ft2
Landing Gear Track 13 ft
Weights Aircraft equipped empty weight 3,607 lb 3,744 lb
Mission fuel 881 lb 916 lb
Ramp weight 4,878 lb 5,077 lb
Performance Design limit speed 320 KEAS 320 KEAS
Maximum speed – 15000 ft 238 KTAS 248 KTAS
- sea level 230 KTAS 238 KTAS
Max cruising speed – 15000ft 229 KTAS 244 KTAS
- sea level 225 KTAS 227 KTAS
Stalling speed – flaps up 69 KCAS 71 KCAS
- landing flap 59 KCAS 60 KCAS
Approach speed 71 KCAS 72 KCAS
Initial rate of climb – sea level 2905 fpm 3320 fpm
Time to climb to 15000 ft 6.7 min 6.1 min
Service ceiling (nominal) 31,400 ft 31,400 ft
Take off (over 50 ft) 1,188 ft 1,296 ft
Load factors (at max operating
+7.0G/-3.5g +7.0G/-3.5g
weight)

Tandem Trainer Side-by-side Trainer

ENDEAVOUR AEROSPACE PTY LTD


MELBOURNE • AUSTRALIA
WWW.ENDEAVOUR–AEROSPACE.COM
TEL: +61 (0) 403 175 621/ FAX: +61 (0) 3 9748 3778 3

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