Whittaker MW6

MW6
Whittaker MW-6-1-1 Merlin
Role Amateur-built aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Designer Mike Whittaker
Status Plans available (2015)
Number built over 200 sets of plans sold
Developed from Whittaker MW5 Sorcerer

The Whittaker MW6 is a family of British amateur-built aircraft that was designed by Mike Whittaker and supplied as plans for amateur construction.[1][2]

Design and development

The MW6 series is based upon the earlier single-seat Whittaker MW5 Sorcerer. The MW6 features a strut-braced parasol wing, a two-seat open cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration, mounted on the keel tube, above the cockpit.[1][2]

The aircraft is made from aluminium tubing, with its flying surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. Its 9.98 m (32.7 ft) span wing has an area of 15.24 m2 (164.0 sq ft). The standard engine used is the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 two-stroke powerplant.[1][2]

The design is Whittaker's most popular aircraft, with over 200 sets of plans sold. It is approved by the Light Aircraft Association in the UK.[1][2][3]

Operational history

Bayerl et al. said of the MW6S and MW6T, "Both are very solid and safe, though performance doesn't match the latest hotships."[1][2]

Variants

Whittaker MW6S Fatboy
MW6S Fatboy
Model with side-by-side configuration seating[1][2]
MW6T Merlin
Model with tandem seating[1][2]

Specifications (MW6S Fatboy)

Data from Bayerl and Tacke[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 9.98 m (32 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 15.24 m2 (164.0 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 190 kg (419 lb)
  • Gross weight: 390 kg (860 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 37 kW (50 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 148 km/h (92 mph, 80 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 102 km/h (63 mph, 55 kn)
  • Stall speed: 56 km/h (35 mph, 30 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 2.5 m/s (490 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 25.6 kg/m2 (5.2 lb/sq ft)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 111. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 117. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ^ Light Aircraft Association (25 September 2012). "Approved Homebuilt Types" (PDF). Retrieved 10 October 2012.
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