Eagle-X aircraft prototype
Object No. L2056
Although very similar in design to an American Rutan "Quickie" the Eagle EX-P1 is regarded as Australia's first designed and built all-composite aircraft. The design similarity stems from the use by the West Australian company, Composite Industries Limited, of ex-Rutan designer John Roncz as the designer of the Eagle. The "Quickie" concept was used by Roncz to incorporate the design parameters of the Eagle due to the similarity of the Composite Industries' specified outcome with the "Quickie's" performance and handling characteristics. One of the main requirements for the Eagle was that it should be a safe, intuitive aircraft in the hands of novice pilots; forgiving of clumsy handling. The canard configuration gives the aircraft an almost instant recovery from a stall situation. It was conceived as a mode of transport for the wealthy businessman who would otherwise drive between Australian capital cities rather than be inconvenienced by airline timetables. In this sense the Eagle EX-P1 was regarded by the Marketing Manager of Composite Industries as an aerial 'sports car'. However, it was also deemed suitable for low altitude activities such as mustering and area inspections where a moments inattention by the pilot would not cause a fatal stall. The Eagle was classified as an ultra light aircraft and therefore did not require the registration and maintenance regime of the conventional aircraft, thus benefiting from a lower cost structure. However, this concept did not take account of the reluctance of insurance companies to cover these 'unregistered' ultra light aircraft at the time of the introduction of the Eagle. As demand for the aircraft failed to materialise the Company moved away from the single seat concept to concentrate on the development of the two place Eagle XTS. The Eagle EX-P1 is the only single seat aircraft produced by the company. Composite Industries Limited was bought out by Malaysian interests and the Eagle Aircraft Company was formed to produce the Eagle XTS for a world market to fulfil the role as a light personal aircraft or as a basic trainer.
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Summary
Object Statement
Aircraft and components, Eagle-X prototype, kevlar / carbon fibre, made by Composite Industries Limited, Western Australia, Australia, 1984
Physical Description
Canard monoplane consisting of two parts (the fuselage and tail) made of kevlar and carbon fibre. The exterior of the aircraft is white gelcote with blue and red stripes and an eagle logo on the side of the body. It features an ovoid cockpit with perspex cover and single seat inside. Specifications: Engine: Rotax Cylinders: 2 in line Power: 37.3 kw (50 bhp) Wingspan: 4.9m (16ft) Weight: 200 kg (440 lbs) Cruising speed: 185 km/h (100 knots) Range: 3 hours
DIMENSIONS
Height
1200 mm
Width
4900 mm
Weight
200 null
PRODUCTION
Notes
The Eagle XP-1 is a proof of concept aircraft to develop a knowledge by the manufacturing company, Composite Industries Ltd., of Western Australia, of the use of composite materials - carbon fibre and kevlar - in the construction of light aircraft and also to develop an aircraft that was relatively safe and forgiving of inexperienced pilots. The results of their experiments with the Eagle XP-1 was the development of the Eagle XTS, the two-seat, tricycle undercarriage, version. Like its predecessor it is of composite construction and retains the canard configuration that provides a safety barrier to an aerodynamic stall of the main wing. However, there was interest within the company to continue production of the XP-1 aircraft if demand warranted. The demand did not eventuate and the Museum's aircraft remains the only single place Eagle produced.
HISTORY
Notes
Eagle Aircraft Australia began as a subsidiary of Composite Industries Ltd, itself a part of the Graham Group of Companies in Perth, Western Australia. Eagle Aircraft was established in 1984 to exploit the "proof of concept" aircraft, the Eagle XP-1, developed by Composite Industries Ltd. as a response to interest perceived in the farming and mining communities of Western Australia, the area of operation of Graham Group, for a cheap, reliable, easy and safe to operate light aircraft that was able to minimise aviation bureaucracy. The Eagle XP-1 project was begun in 1981 and the design parameters for the aircraft were place in the hands of American John Roncz who had worked with Bert Rutan in the development of several composite light aircraft. The resulting design of the Eagle is similar to the Rutan "Quickie" on which John Roncz worked. The prototype flew in 1984. On the 30/1/1985, during a test flight in "hot, gusty conditions" the Eagle lost height and speed causing an out landing in a wheat field as the pilot was endeavouring to return to the airstrip at Cunderdin, W A . The aircraft received substantial damage. Despite this setback, in 1987 the Eagle XP-1 was judged the best in The Australian Financial Review - AMEV Finance Ltd new product award. The prize of $25,000 was presented to Composite Industries Ltd of Perth by the then Minister of Technology and Commerce, Senator Button at the Australian Financial Review New Product and Technology Expo at the Function Centre at Rose Hill race course in Sydney. The Eagle was transferred from Rose Hill to the Powerhouse Museum in November 1987.
SOURCE
Acquisition Date
10 November 1987
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
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