Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen
The 2021 A32 Vixxen features additional upgrades which improve the flight experience as well as safety even more: new heavy duty pre-formed acrylic windshield helps to reduce cabin noise levels. New super-bright LED landing light system. Improved dash panel design and materials reduce vibration in the cockpit to a 'car like' feel. New center console storage design allow for the phone, keys and other small items to be stored safely. New air scoop at the rear of the aircraft to improve fresh airflow circulation and cabin heating distribution.
Although it has a similar wing profile to the A22, the A32 Vixxen is, in almost every other respect, a completely new design. Over a development period of almost four years, the factory has designed and produced an aircraft which, while retaining an unmistakable family resemblance to the A22, is able to stall slower, cruise faster (at least 20 knots faster!) and do so in a more comfortable and quieter cabin.
What makes the A32 Vixxen an even more exceptional achievement is that fuel economy has improved by around 20-25%, removing the need for the larger (and draggier) ‘long range’ fuel tanks found on the A22. Brilliantly, the legendary weight carrying capability remains intact with over 210kg available for people and baggage after full fuel.
Great Cruise Speed
At a glance, it's easy to see the faired landing gear legs and wheels and the fairings at the top and bottom of the wing lift-struts. The fuselage is smooth with aerodynamic fairings fitted to the wing roots at the leading and trailing edges. What's not so easy to see at a glance is the work inside the engine bay to reduce significant areas of drag. All these changes result in an aircraft that cruises fast, glides well, stalls slow and uses less fuel than many other LSAs
Excellent Visibility
The new pre-formed heavy duty windscreen curves up level with the top of wing, resulting in excellent headroom, refined aerodynamics and makes the noise levels within the cabin similar to those in a car.
The fuselage is a 'monocoque' and needs no diagonal struts inside the windshield, so there is an unimpeded, panoramic view forward. Additionally, there is no horizontal cross-member behind the seats, resulting in a very easy seat positioning and a low CofG for the luggage compartment in the floor behind the fold forward seats
Safe Design
Before release, the A32 was in development and testing for almost 4 years. Much of this development has centred on 'state-of-the-art' aerodynamics. But the A32 has also undergone an extensive flight-test programme to ensure that theoretical improvements actually work in practice resulting in a safe, well proven and predictable aircraft across the flight envelope
Aerodynamics
There are three main reasons for introducing an all-flying tail plane on the A32 - the first on an Aeroprakt aircraft. First, control forces and trim drag are reduced. Second, an all-flying tail has fewer moving parts which means greater reliability. Finally, it has some aerodynamic advantages over a fixed stabiliser/elevator combination enabling more precise control of the aircraft, smoother feel and quick and positive response at any speed. The A32 features an incredible 12 to 1 glide ratio.
Landing gear
The landing gear is strong yet light and features the same robust design found in the Foxbat and Kelpie variants. The main landing gear legs are of cantilever spring type machined from high grade solid aluminium billet.
The nose leg system utilises a heavy duty spring shock absorber, often found on motorbikes, to help dampen your landings. With direct steering to the nose wheel, the Vixxen turn radius is well within its own wingspan, allowing for easy maneuverability around the apron.
Cockpit
The A32 Vixxen can be equipped with with traditional dual yoke controls or a centre Y-stick. Instrumentation can vary to your liking between full glass by Dynon or Garmin to more traditional analogue instrumentation.
The high-set seats have two significant benefits for pilots and co-pilots alike - a great view over the nose and excellent knee room even for the tallest of pilots, in addition, the seats can be adjusted to the desired setting on an easy to use rail system.
These benefits have been achieved without compromising one of Aeroprakt's great signature benefits - there's no need to duck your head to see under the wing when you're flying the aircraft. The seats, which tilt forward for luggage access, have storage pockets behind the back-rests and are adjustable fore and aft using a spring locator at the front of the seat.
Specification
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Vne (never exceed speed) | 135 knots |
| Typical cruise TAS | 40-115 knots |
| Stall TAS (landing configuration at MTOW) | 27 knots |
| Take-off roll | 100 metres |
| Take-off to 50' | 230 metres |
| Landing roll | 100 metres |
| Landing from 50' | 244 metres |
| Flap limit speed | 79 knots |
| Best climb speed | 65 knots |
| MTOW (land plane) | 600 kg |
| Typical empty weight | 320 kg |
| Fuel capacity | 90 usable litres (optionally 114 litre) |
| Carry including fuel | 280 kg |
| Usable load after full fuel | 218 kg |
| Cruise endurance (89 litre tank) | 4.2 hours + 45 minutes reserve |
| Range with full tanks with 45 min reserve (89litre tank) | 470nm |
| Wing span | 9.45 m |
| Length | 6.27 m |
| Height | 2.22 m |
| Main gear track | 1.729 m |
| Operational load limits | +4 -2 G |
| Tested at 650 kgs to | +6 -3 G |
