ELA 10-Eclipse PILOT OPERATOR´S
HANDBOOK
Version: V10-05
Issue date: 26
th
July 2016.
Last modification: 04
th
February 2019.
14
Section II – DESCRIPTION OF THE AIRCRAFT
2.1 GENERAL
The ELA 10-Eclipse gyroplane is designed as a 2-seater, tandem-configured
three-axis aircraft with single or dual controls and single engine, ideal for
leisure flight or training purposes. In addition to flight training and general
recreational flying, the flight characteristics of this gyroplane make such
aircraft ideally suited for tasks such as air transportation, forestry, border,
livestock and traffic surveillance, electrical pylon inspection, aerial still and
film photography, fumigation, crop spray etc. These are typically the kind of
activities which benefit from the very low speeds at which this gyroplane
can operate as well as its characteristic zero downwash. The manoeuvring
capability of the aircraft in all configurations is exceptionally high, and since
it is impossible for the machine to enter into a stall or a spin, it has an
unequalled flight safety record. Its characteristic short take-off and landing
runs make it particularly suitable for operation from fields of modest
dimension.
2.2 CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS
The
airframe
(mast, engine support and tail boom) is one single part built
from chromoly AISI 4130 steel, TIG (tungsten-inert-gas) welded. The
gyroplane is a tricycle landing gear with front wheel.
The
cockpit
is a monocoque made from carbon fibre and epoxy resin with a
built-in fuel tank, ensuring high strength with low weight. The canopy is
made from aeronautical Plexiglass to protect the occupants from cold and
wind.
The layout of the
instrument panel
house switches which fall easily to
hand around the desired set of instruments.
The
rotor blades
are made from aluminium and composite materials.
The
power unit
consists of a pusher piston engine and a three bladed
composite propeller.
The
tailplane
are made from carbon fibre and consist of a fixed horizontal
stabilizer with winglets at the ends and a vertical surface in the centre
subdivided into a vertical stabilizer and a rudder.
