LH Aviation LH-10 Ellipse is a low-wing, tandem two-seat light kit aircraft, powered by a 100 hp Rotax petrol engine in a pusher-prop configuration. Its low weight and unusual configuration is designed to deliver a very high cruising speed with exceptional fuel economy.
Developing nation: France.
Manufacturer/designer: LH Aviation.
Production line: Melun-Villaroche Airport.
Type aircraft: Light Aircraft.
First flight: 6 December 2007.
First delivery:
The Force Aerienne Populaire de Benin has ordered two Grand Duc to monitor their coastlines around the capital Porto-Novo. The Grand Duke is a so-called “aerial territory surveillance system” and differs from the original version only in its comprehensive on-board instrumentation including autopilot, equipment for night flying, GPS, Iridium satellite communications, transponder, digital camera, Geobox system for tracking the aircraft from the ground, etc. The first production Ellipse appeared at the June 2011 Paris Air Show, painted in the colours of the Air Force of Benin.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 5.11 m (16 ft 9 in) excluding nose probe
- Wingspan: 8.00 m (26 ft 3 in)
- Height: 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 4.50 m2 (48.4 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 14.2
- Empty weight: 300 kg (661 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 540 kg (1,190 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 70 L (15.4 Imp gal, 18.5 USS gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 ULS flat 4-cylinder piston, air- and water-cooled, 73.5 kW (98.6 hp)
- Propellers: 4-bladed ground adjustable pusher
Performance
- Maximum speed: 370 km/h (230 mph; 200 kn)
- Cruising speed: 269 km/h (167 mph; 145 kn)
- Stall speed: 106 km/h (66 mph; 57 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 450 km/h (280 mph; 240 kn)
- Range: 1,500 km (932 mi; 810 nmi)
- Endurance: 10 hr
- G limits: +4.4/-2.2
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar and Marcel van Leeuwen
