Renegade Falcon LS
Renegade Falcon LS
General information
TypeTouring monoplane
National originUnited States
ManufacturerRenegade Light Sport
Number built24[1]
History
Developed fromCorvus Phantom

The Falcon LS is a two-seat, low wing, light sport aircraft originally produced by Corvus Aircraft in Hungary as the Corvus Phantom and imported into the US by T&T Aviation between 2008–2010 and by Renegade Light Sport 2010–present.[2][3][4]

There is disagreement between Corvus Aircraft and Renegade Light Sport as to whether the design has been licensed or reverse engineered.[1][5]

Design and development

On 6 October 2010 the Falcon LS became the first airplane to fly with the Lycoming IO-233-LSA engine.[6][7] Originally T&T Aviation was selected by Lycoming to help develop their IO-233-LSA engine.[8] When Renegade bought out T&T Aviation they continued the engine development partnership with Lycoming. The IO-233-LSA produces 115 hp (86 kW)[9] when equipped with a carburetor and a Champion electronic ignition system. Renegade installed a capacitor discharge ignition, fuel injection, and a "Vetterman" cross-flow exhaust system[10] to achieve 123 hp (92 kW).[11]

The Falcon LS features a 46 in (117 cm) wide cabin, a ballistic parachute, and wings that can be removed in 15 minutes for ground transport or storage. T&T Aviation demonstrated 1.5 revolution spins, loops, and barrel rolls in the Falcon LS.[12] Renegade plans a bigger baggage compartment.[1][13]

Operational history

In March 2017 there were seven Falcon LS aircraft registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the USA.[14]

Variants

Falcon LS
Light-sport aircraft imported by T&T Aviation. Available only with tricycle gear.
Falcon LS 2.0 Mizzoura[15]
Light-sport aircraft manufactured by Renegade Light Sport in partnership with Corvus and equipped with the Lycoming IO-233-LSA powerplant and a new wing design. Available with either taildragger or tricycle gear and can be converted back and forth in one hour. Cabin width is 50 in (127 cm).[4][16]
Falcon T
Introduced at the 2012 Sebring US Sport Aviation Expo, the aircraft has conventional landing gear ("T" indicates "Taildragger") and is flown from the right seat. Capable of light aerobatics but not approved for it under LSA rules. Is available with an optional "shark mouth" P-40 paint scheme reminiscent of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.[17]

Specifications (Falcon LS 2.0)

Data from Renegade website[18]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 20.9 ft (6.4 m)
  • Wingspan: 31.5 ft (9.6 m)
  • Wing area: 122.66 sq ft (11.395 m2)
  • Empty weight: 795 lb (361 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,320 lb (599 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 28 U.S. gallons (110 L; 23 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-233-LSA , 123 hp (92 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 140 mph (220 km/h, 120 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 129 mph (207 km/h, 112 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 167 mph (269 km/h, 145 kn)
  • Range: 530 mi (850 km, 460 nmi)
  • g limits: +6/-3
  • Maximum glide ratio: 14:1

Avionics

References

  1. ^ abc"Falcon LS light sport aircraft by Renegade Lightsport Aircraft (YouTube video)". Light Sport & Ultralight News Web Video Magazine. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  2. ^"LYCOMING O-233 POWERED LSA COMPLETES MAIDEN FLIGHT". EAA e-Hotline. 2010-12-17. Archived from the original on 2012-06-09. Retrieved 2011-11-29.
  3. ^Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 78. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  4. ^ abTacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 76. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  5. ^"Corvus technology & safety: Announcement". Corvus Aircraft. Archived from the original on May 11, 2010. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  6. ^"First flight of Lycoming O-233 LSA powerplant". General Aviation News. 2010-10-13. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  7. ^"FALCON LS lightsport aircraft from Renegade Light Sport (YouTube video)". Light Sport & Ultralight News Web Video Magazine. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  8. ^"Lycoming Chooses T&T Aviation for Final Product Development on IO-233-LSA". Textron, Inc. 2009-04-21. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2011-11-29.
  9. ^"233 SERIES ENGINES (brochure)"(PDF). Lycoming. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  10. ^"Update: We are introducing a new exhaust system designed specifically for the new Lycoming 0-233 LSA engine". Vetterman Exhaust, Inc. 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
  11. ^"Flying the Renegade Falcon LS (YouTube video)". AVweb. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  12. ^"T&T Aviation: Flight Test (Video)". T&T Aviation. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2011-12-04.
  13. ^"Lycoming 233, Falcon Renegade lightsport aircraft powered by Lycoming 233 aircraft engine (YouTube video)". Light Sport & Ultralight News Web Video Magazine. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  14. ^Federal Aviation Administration (18 March 2017). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  15. ^"Belgium firm offers Light Sport engine". AOPA Pilot: 40. March 2015.
  16. ^"Renegade Falcon LS". Renegade Light Sport. Archived from the original on 2011-11-09. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
  17. ^"Renegade P40 Falcon T (YouTube video)". AOPA. Retrieved 2012-01-23.
  18. ^"Renegade Falcon LS Specifications". Renegade Light Sport. Archived from the original on 2011-12-03. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
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