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Cosmos Samba

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Samba
Role Ultralight trike
National origin France
Manufacturer Cosmos ULM
Status In production

The Cosmos Samba, named after the dance of the same name, is a French ultralight trike that is produced by Cosmos ULM of Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France. The aircraft is supplied as a complete aircraft and is not available as a kit.[1][2][3]

Design and development

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The Samba is a minimalist aircraft, sometimes referred to as a nanolight-trike. It was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 210 lb (95 kg). It features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a single-seat, open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[2][3]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing. The Tedlar-covered single surface wing is a French La Mouette Topless M design that uses an internal Kevlar cross-bar reinforcement in place of a kingpost and ground wires. The lower flying wires are retained, however, giving the aircraft a load rating of +6/-3g. Control is weight-shift via an "A" frame control bar.[2][3]

The lack of the kingpost and associated cables allows the Samba a top speed of 93 km/h (58 mph) on only 16 kW (21 hp) of power provided by a Zenoah G-25 single cylinder, two stroke powerplant. Because of its low drag the aircraft is suitable for power-off soaring flight and the engine can be restarted in flight.[2][3]

The Samba can be disassembled for storage or car-top transport in 20 minutes.[2]

Specifications (Samba)

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Data from Cliche, Bertrand and Purdy[1][2][3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 1.8 m (6 ft)
  • Wingspan: 10.12 m (33 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 14.1 m2 (152 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 95 kg (210 lb)
  • Gross weight: 204 kg (450 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 10 litres (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Zenoah G-25 single cylinder, two stroke aircraft engine, 16 kW (21 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 93 km/h (58 mph, 50 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 72 km/h (45 mph, 39 kn)
  • Stall speed: 40 km/h (25 mph, 22 kn)
  • Range: 130 km (80 mi, 70 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)
  • g limits: +6/-3
  • Rate of climb: 3.0 m/s (600 ft/min)
  • Rate of sink: 1.5 m/s (300 ft/min)

References

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  1. ^ a b Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 98. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ a b c d e f Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-8. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  3. ^ a b c d e Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 142. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
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