JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #34 - July/August 2007 - 54

USERS’ PLATFORM Applications Two-seat sport aircraft designed in carbon/epoxy composite The LH-10 Ellipse is a two-seat sport plane entirely designed in carbon fibre and sold in a kit. The tandem aircraft offers exceptional visibility to both pilots. It cruises at 370 km/h, or 100-150 km/h more than other aircraft in the same category. It features a mid-mounted engine with pusher propeller in the rear and a carbon-fibre drive shaft. The airplane is designed entirely in carbon fibre, which is already highly innovatory in the field of aviation. Small aircraft of this type generally have metal, wood or fibreglass structures. Using carbon makes the LH-10 Ellipse lightweight, flexible, and stiff all at once. Focus Sébastien Lefebvre and Frédéric Hubschwerlen started up LH Aviation in May 2004. The two engineers shared the same spirit of entrepreneurship and desire to develop a range of innovative light aircraft to replace a fleet of ageing ones. Because both are pilots, they realised that it is possible to build airplanes with better performance than current aircraft. Innovative points The moulds used to make the carbon/epoxy composite structure are first-class, with an exceptional surface finish that required more than six months of work with the leading European specialists. The drive shaft that transmits power from the motor to the pusher propeller is also unique. Entirely designed in carbon fibre, it is 1.2 metre long and weighs only five kg. It guarantees greater stiffness and minimises vibrations. A carbon/epoxy composite structure. The tricycle landing gear is of the trailing-arm type, able to absorb terrain roughness easily. The LH-10 Ellipse will be available with either electric retractable or fixed gear. Flaperons along the full wing span make the airplane very manageable and give maximum lift at low speed. The pusher propeller in the rear with mid-mounted engine is a unique arrangement that optimises the aerodynamics and reduces the drag coefficient. The tandem seat arrangement, which is often used on gliders but seldom anymore on small aircraft, helps to optimise the aerodynamic performance. An innovation light aircraft. A carbon drive shaft. Meeting market expectations Pilots are constantly searching for new and original features. In a market where practically all the aircraft are alike performance-wise and in design and innovation, the LH-10 Ellipse takes position as the new airplane with what pilots want: speed, novel design, and new Four different processes are used to make the composite parts: prepregs, blowmoulding, infusion moulding, and wet lay-up. Some of the parts were developed in cooperation with outside partners. technologies. The LH-10 Ellipse’s cabin is very similar to that of a fighter aircraft or a jet, which tends to fire the imagination of many pilots. The market is wide open, offering some fine prospects for the LH Aviation Company. More information: www.lhaviation.com JEC Composites Magazine / No34 July-August 2007

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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #34 - July/August 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #34 - July/August 2007