- Blue Yonder Merlin
-
Merlin series 
Blue Yonder Merlin EZ Role ultralight personal and trainer aircraft Manufacturer Blue Yonder Aviation Designer John Burch First flight 1987 Introduction 1987 Produced 1987-present Number built 278 (2005)[1] Unit cost Base price US$24,627 (2009)[2] The Blue Yonder Merlin is a Canadian designed and built two-seat, high-wing monoplane with taildragger undercarriage. It can be built as a basic ultra-light, an advanced ultra-light or amateur-built aircraft.[1]
Contents
Development
Rotax 912ULS 100 hp installation in a Blue Yonder Merlin EZ
1990 model Macair Merlin GTThe Merlin was designed in 1986 by John Burch, who intended to use it in his flight training school. Burch was disappointed with the early ultralights available, in particular their inability to take-off and land in crosswinds. The aircraft wing was inspired by the Lazair's wing and used the same aluminum "D" cell and foam rib construction techniques and constant-tapered wing planform. The first example flew in 1987.[1][3]
The Merlin won the Pilot's Choice Award as Best Ultralight at the Aircraft Sport Expo in 1988.[3]
Burch formed Macair Industries in Baldwin, Ontario to produce the aircraft. Initially there were two versions:the Merlin M50 powered by the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 two stroke powerplant and the Merlin GT and Sport 65 versions powered by the 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 532 and later 582. The 100 hp (75 kW) Honda-based CAM 100 engine was also available as an option.[1][3]
In 1991 Burch moved production of the Merlin to Michigan, USA under a new company name, Malcolm Aircraft. Within a short time that company went out of business and the Merlin was picked up by a new company in 1993 operating under the name of Merlin Aircraft who marketed the Merlin GT. After three years the company ceased business and the rights to the design were acquired by Blue Yonder Aviation of Indus, Alberta who continue to produce kits. USA marketing was conducted by Aerocomp (now Comp Air) for some time, but this arrangement has been ended.[1][3]
Blue Yonder's current model is the Merlin EZ which has an option of engines: the Rotax 582 of 64 hp (48 kW), the Rotax 912UL with 80 hp (60 kW) and the 912ULS with 100 hp (75 kW). The Rotax 618 two stroke powerplant of 74 hp (55 kW) was an option until that engine was discontinued by Rotax.[1]
The Merlin EZ uses the same foam-rib construction as previous models, but with a constant-chord wing with a Clark "Y" airfoil replacing the previously tapered wing. The fuselage is of 4130 welded steel tube construction, covered in aircraft fabric. The factory estimates build times at 350–450 hours of labour.[1][2]
Merlin Manufacturers
Blue Yonder is the fourth manufacturer of the Merlin design. Companies who have built the Merlin were:[1][3]
Merlin Manufacturers Company Location Dates Ownership Macair Industries Baldwin, Ontario, Canada 1988-91 John Burch Malcolm Aircraft Michigan, USA 1991-92 John Burch Merlin Aircraft Michigan, USA 1993-96 Blue Yonder Indus, Alberta 1996-present Wayne Winters Variants
- Merlin M50
- Initial model, tapered wings, powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 engine[1][3]
- Merlin GT/Sport 65
- Initial model, tapered wings, powered by a 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 532 and later by a Rotax 582 or 100 hp (75 kW) CAM 100 engine[1][3]
- Merlin EZ
- Current model, constant chord wings, powered by a 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582, 74 hp (55 kW) Rotax 618, 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL, 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS[1]
- Merlin TG
- Tricycle landing gear model, constant chord wings, powered by a 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582, 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL, 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS[1]
Specifications (Merlin EZ Rotax 912ULS)
Data from Merlin magic revisited[4] and Merlin EZ[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
- Height: 7 ft 0 in (2.14 m)
- Wing area: 235 ft² (21.90 m²)
- Empty weight: 700 lb (317 kg)
- Useful load: 700 lb (317 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,400 lb (amateur-built) (634 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912S, 100 hp (75 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 120 mph (193 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 110 mph (178 km/h)
- Rate of climb: 1400 ft/min (10.6 m/s)
- Wing loading: 8.75 lb/ft² (28.9 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 5.95 lb/hp (0.12 kW/kg)
See also
- Related development
- Blue Yonder EZ Flyer
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Humbert Tétras
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Hunt, Adam: Merlin Magic, COPA Flight publication, page C-1, February 2005
- ^ a b Winters, Wayne (undated). "Merlin EZ Price Lists". http://www.ezflyer.com/page24BYA.html. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g Armstrong, Kenneth: Choosing Your Homebuilt - the one you will finish and fly! Second Edition, page 195-201. Butterfield Press, 1993. ISBN 0-932579-26-4
- ^ Hunt, Adam: Merlin Magic Revisited, COPA Flight publication, page C-1, October 2005
- ^ Winters, Wayne (undated). "Merlin EZ". http://www.ezflyer.com/Page8BYA.html. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
External links
Blue Yonder Aviation Aircraft EZ Flyer · EZ Fun Flyer · EZ Harvard · EZ King Cobra · Merlin · Twin Engine EZ FlyerPredecessor companies Marketing partner companies Comp Air Aircraft Merlin · Comp Air 3 · Comp Air 4 · Comp Air 6 · Comp Air 7 · Comp Air 8 · Comp Air 9 · Comp Air 10 · Comp Air 11 · Comp Air 12 · Comp Air JetLists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- Blue Yonder aircraft
- Canadian ultralight aircraft 1980–1989
- Homebuilt aircraft
- Comp Air aircraft
- Single-engine aircraft
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