Samba
Role Ultralight trike
National origin France
Manufacturer Cosmos ULM
Status In production

The Cosmos Samba, named after the dance of the same name, is a French ultralight trike that is produced by Cosmos ULM of Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France. The aircraft is supplied as a complete aircraft and is not available as a kit.[1][2][3]

Design and development

The Samba is a minimalist aircraft, sometimes referred to as a nanolight-trike. It was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 210 lb (95 kg). It features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a single-seat, open cockpit, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[2][3]

The aircraft is made from bolted-together aluminum tubing. The Tedlar-covered single surface wing is a French La Mouette Topless M design that uses an internal Kevlar cross-bar reinforcement in place of a kingpost and ground wires. The lower flying wires are retained, however, giving the aircraft a load rating of +6/-3g. Control is weight-shift via an "A" frame control bar.[2][3]

The lack of the kingpost and associated cables allows the Samba a top speed of 93 km/h (58 mph) on only 16 kW (21 hp) of power provided by a Zenoah G-25 single cylinder, two stroke powerplant. Because of its low drag the aircraft is suitable for power-off soaring flight and the engine can be restarted in flight.[2][3]

The Samba can be disassembled for storage or car-top transport in 20 minutes.[2]

Specifications (Samba)

Data from Cliche, Bertrand and Purdy[1][2][3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 1.8 m (6 ft)
  • Wingspan: 10.12 m (33 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 14.1 m2 (152 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 95 kg (210 lb)
  • Gross weight: 204 kg (450 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 10 litres (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Zenoah G-25 single cylinder, two stroke aircraft engine, 16 kW (21 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 93 km/h (58 mph, 50 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 72 km/h (45 mph, 39 kn)
  • Stall speed: 40 km/h (25 mph, 22 kn)
  • Range: 130 km (80 mi, 70 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)
  • g limits: +6/-3
  • Rate of climb: 3.0 m/s (600 ft/min)
  • Rate of sink: 1.5 m/s (300 ft/min)

References

  1. 1 2 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 98. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-8. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 142. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
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