P&M Explorer

The P&M Explorer is a British ultralight trike that was designed and produced by P&M Aviation of Rochdale, Lancashire. Now out of production, when it was available it was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.^[1]

The Explorer was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb).^[1]

The aircraft design features a strut-braced topless hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit with a cockpit fairing, tricycle landing gear with main gear wheel pants and a single engine in pusher configuration.^[1]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its double surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 13 m (42.7 ft) span wing is supported by struts and lacks a kingpost. It uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The powerplant is a four cylinder, air and liquid-cooled, four-stroke, dual-ignition 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS engine. Landing gear options include 15 cm (6 in) wheels with 15X6 tyres, for operations on unimproved surfaces.^[1]

The aircraft has an empty weight of 235 kg (518 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb), giving a useful load of 215 kg (474 lb). With full fuel of 65 litres (14 imp gal; 17 US gal) the payload is 168 kg (370 lb).^[1]

A number of different wings can be fitted to the basic carriage, including the range of Quik wings.^[1]

Data from Tacke^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Wingspan: 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: 9.26 m² (99.7 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 235 kg (518 lb)
• Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 65 litres (14 imp gal; 17 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS four cylinder, liquid and air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 75 kW (101 hp)
• Propellers: 3-bladed composite, ground adjustable

Performance

• Maximum speed: 165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn)
• Cruise speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
• Stall speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
• Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 48.6 kg/m² (10.0 lb/sq ft)