Engineering:MX Aircraft MX2

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MX2
Rob holland mx2.jpg
Rob Holland Flies his MX2 near Nashua, NH
Role Aerobatic
National origin Perth Western Australia
Manufacturer MX Aircraft
First flight 2002
Developed from Giles G-202

The MX2 is a carbon fiber, two seat tandem sport aircraft produced by MX Aircraft of Perth, Western Australia. The MX2 has been used by competitors in the annual Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

Gary Ward MX2

Design and development

The MX2 was based on the Giles G-202 aerobatic trainer, the first prototype was a modified G-202 and first flew in May 2002.[1] The first aircraft of the initial production batch of five first flew in May 2005.[1] The MX2 is a carbon-fibre low wing cantilever monoplane with full span ailerons and a conventional landing gear with a tailwheel.[1] It has an enclosed cockpit for two in tandem on reclining seats and a single piece canopy.[1] The MX2 is powered by a 260 hp (194 kW) Lycoming IO-540 flat-six piston engine with a three-blade tractor propeller.[1] Optimised for aerobatic speed and agility the MX2 can pull a G-load of plus and minus 14 Gs, giving it tight turns and loops and a range of aerobatic maneuvers.

Rob Holland (pilot) won the 2008 World Advanced Aerobatic Championships in a MX2 and the 2018 US National Aerobatic Championships.

An MX2 raced a Supermarine Spitfire around the Isle of Wight for the 70th anniversary of the first Spitfire produced. The Spitfire won.[2]

Specifications

Data from [1]Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2008-2009

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
  • Wingspan: 24 ft 0 in (7.32 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
  • Wing area: 102 sq ft (9.5 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,287 lb (584 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,150 lb (975 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-540 flat-six piston engine, 260 hp (194 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 220 kn (253 mph, 407 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 58 kn (67 mph, 108 km/h)
  • g limits: ±12
  • Roll rate: 420°/s

See also

Related development

References

Citations
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Jackson 2008, p. 830
  2. BBC article about the Spitfire/MX2 race, accessed 2 July 2008
Bibliography
  • Paul Jackson, ed (2008). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2008-2009. Coulsdon, Surrey, England: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2837-4. 

External links