Xenon XL test

[PTKay]

I had a great pleasure today to participate in a new test of the Xenon XL.

The muffler on the turbo engine was replaced with special tuned pipes.
It was supposed to give extra power.

And it worked!

I was used as an additional ballast, to prove the performance under load.
We were 3 grown up men (European) 150-160 lb. each, so app. 470 lb. + half fuel.
The conditions was app. standard: 15 C, 1000 mbar, we were climbing 800 fpm,
top speed was 100 mph.

We couldn't use the full throttle, the prop pitch was probably too low and the
engine was over speeding, so for me the performance was amazing.

It is an amazing machine and we had lots of fun.

Some pics follow.

Thank you Raphael for the great opportunity to enjoy the the XL.

[PTKay]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/2945272458_ba8b29b561.jpg

[PTKay]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2945271542_8c8313bd7d.jpg

[PTKay]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2945302258_4e832cd3c9.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2944435961_6661cf9953.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/2945304154_55a16afb87.jpg

[PTKay]

Some more...

[Chopper Reid]

that is one neat instrument panel!

[PTKay]

that is one neat instrument panel!

You are darn right... :)

The pictures do no show even the 10% of the functionality.

Great GPS functions, including 3D, all kinds of warnings, terrain, temperatures.
Integrated rotor tach with audio and screen warning on over- or underspeeding...
etc., etc. ...

[Chopper Reid]

Yes, there is no doubt the glass panel are here now and the cost is very affordable.

[Xenon-designer]

Hello Paul,

Was a pleasure and an un-scheduled flight for you ! Thanks for sharing the photos...
I think we have the only gyro in the world that really fly good at 3 people and have a greater payload than empty weight !

It is personnaly my favorite machine to fly among the other models, being in the center position with so much visibility and space...is just fantastic !!!
Kits are now available, uses are endless to your imagination.

[GyroDoug]

that is one neat instrument panel!

Is that the new "Odessy" panel from Stratomaster?

Gyro Doug

[PTKay]

I had a great pleasure today to participate in a new test of the Xenon XL.

The muffler on the turbo engine was replaced with special tuned pipes.
It was supposed to give extra power.

And it worked!



This modification is recently described also (with pictures) by Xenon Tom on the AXE web page.

http://www.xenonowners.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:new-pipes-solve-an-old-problem&catid=11:airframeengine&Itemid=11

I am not sure who did it first: Tom or Raphael,
but whoever did it, it works.

The turbo itself is enough to limit the noise (engine pulses),
and open pipes really do improve power.
We were flying 3 grown up guys in the XL with amazing speed and climb rates.

:)

[Resasi]

That has been a machine to watch, certainly for me for a while now. I love the looks and the fact that it is a three-up. Look forward to a kit being approved for the US.

[PTKay]

Some more images added...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3008844146_e442c1eef8_o.jpg

more here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31118007@N04/

[Resasi]

I was under the impression that the 51% build had not yet been approved for the Xenon in the US?

Is that correct, or are kits available for building?