Norman Aviation Nordic 8 Mini Explorer
{{Short description|Canadian homebuilt light aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2022}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
| name=Nordic 8 Mini Explorer | image= | caption= }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type=Ultralight aircraft | national origin=Canada | manufacturer=Norman Aviation | designer= | first flight= | introduced= | retired= | status=In production (2012) | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built=4 (2011) | developed from= | variants with their own articles= }} |
The Norman Aviation Nordic 8 Mini Explorer is a Canadian ultralight aircraft, designed and produced by Norman Aviation of Saint-Anselme, Quebec. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 67. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485XTacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 70. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}{{cite web|url = http://www.pilotmix.com/index.php?pgid=11&lang=en&maxInfo=118|title = Mini-Explorer|accessdate = 11 August 2012|last = Pilot Mix|date = n.d.}}Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 62. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
Design and development
The Mini Explorer was derived from the larger Hubert de Chevigny designed Personal Explorer, adapted to Canadian Advanced Ultralight rules. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The Mini Explorer is intended as a flying camper and so includes sufficient cabin space with couches for two adults to sleep and a kitchen. Due to the emphasis on fuselage volume the Mini Explorer is not a fast aircraft for its fitted power, with a cruise speed of about {{convert|85|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-ccarcs-advancedullist-2036.htm|title = Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)|accessdate = 11 August 2012|last = Transport Canada|date = 27 March 2012}}
The aircraft fuselage is made from welded steel tubing, with wooden structure wings and all surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. Its {{convert|36.1|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} span wing has an area of {{convert|180.3|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} and no flaps. The cabin width is {{convert|48|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}. Standard engines fitted are the {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 912UL, the {{convert|100|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 912ULS and the {{convert|115|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Rotax 914 four-stroke turbocharged powerplant. Construction time from the supplied kit is estimated as 500 hours.
Operational history
In December 2011 the company reported four examples had been completed. In February 2018 there were three Mini-Explorers on the Transport Canada Canadian Civil Aircraft Register, including the prototype.{{Cite web|url = http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/RchSimp.aspx|title = Canadian Civil Aircraft Register|accessdate = 21 February 2018|last = Transport Canada|date = 21 February 2018 }}
Specifications (Mini Explorer)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Bayerl, Pilot Mix and Kitplanes
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|crew=one
|capacity=one passenger
|length m=
|length ft=21
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|span m=
|span ft=36.1
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|wing area sqft=180.3
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|empty weight lb=654
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|gross weight lb=1232
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|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Rotax 912ULS
|eng1 type=four cylinder, liquid and air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine
|eng1 kw=75
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|max speed kmh=208
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|cruise speed mph=85
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|stall speed kmh=60
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|never exceed speed mph=130
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|climb rate ftmin=850
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|wing loading kg/m2=33.4
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References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www3.sympatico.ca/sebastien.carron/kits-ang.htm}}
{{Norman Aviation aircraft}}
{{Uncertified aircraft developed in Canada}}