Merlin
Role Ultralight trike
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Take Off GmbH
Introduction 1994
Status In production (2018)
Produced 1994-present

The Take Off Merlin is a German ultralight trike, designed and produced by Take Off GmbH of Hamm. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]

Design and development

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

The aircraft is made from welded stainless steel tubing, with its double surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 10 m (32.8 ft) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The powerplants are various BMW motorcycle engines that vary by model.[1]

A number of different wings can be fitted to the basic carriage, including the Drachen Studio Avent and Air Creation iXess .[1]

Variants

Merlin 100
Initial version introduced in 1994[2]
Merlin 1100
Model introduced in 1998 and powered by a four-stroke, 90 hp (67 kW) BMW 1100 RS engine. The 1100 has an empty weight of 195 kg (430 lb) and a gross weight of 400 kg (882 lb), giving a useful load of 205 kg (452 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload is 162 kg (357 lb).[1][2]
Merlin 1200
Model introduced in 2006 and powered by a four-stroke, 95 hp (71 kW) BMW 1200 GS engine. The 1200 has an empty weight of 230 kg (507 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb), giving a useful load of 220 kg (485 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload is 177 kg (390 lb).[1][2]

Specifications (Merlin 1200)

Data from Bayerl[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 15.2 m2 (164 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 230 kg (507 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × BMW 1200 GS four stroke motorcycle engine, 71 kW (95 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
  • Stall speed: 55 km/h (34 mph, 30 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 29.6 kg/m2 (6.1 lb/sq ft)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 223. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 3 Take Off GmbH (2006). "Trikes". Retrieved 6 September 2013.
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