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Empty Weight

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info(at)usjabiru.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:12 am Post subject: Empty Weight

The Arion Aircraft development team has been working hard to reduce the empty weight of the basic Lightning.  We have found new core materials and new methods of fabrication that reduce weight but maintain the strength of the structural components.  We have redesigned some of the non structural components as well to make them lighter.  Based on the empty weights of recently completed Lightnings we are reducing the empty weight specification by 25 lbs to 775 lbs.  Builders can achieve this weight for a Lightning with VFR instruments, Becker Radios (they are light), minimal interior finish, and a wood prop.  

   

Pete Krotje  

Arion Aircraft, LLC  

        [quote][b]

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pequeajim

Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 708
Location: New Holland, PA

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:18 pm Post subject: Re: Empty Weight

Hi Pete:



That's great news...  Continuous inprovement!



When do you think this updage will make it into production?



Jim!

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pete(at)flylightning.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:13 am Post subject: Empty Weight

Jim,



It's already there.  The last 15 or so kits would be able to be built at the

lighter weight.  Final weight will always depend on additions to the basic

airframe.  Nice interiors add 8 lbs or so.  Carbon ground adjustable prop

adds two or three lbs.  Extra paint (pearl, extra stripes, etc) can add 5

lbs or more.  Extra instruments or EFIS's can add 5 lbs.  Garmin radios

instead of Becker add 4 lbs.  Auto pilot servo's weigh 3 lbs+ each.



It's easy to make it heavier and a real challenge to make it lighter.



Pete



--

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JamesL(at)Lugoj.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject: Empty Weight

Hi all,



Speaking of empty weight, have any of the Lightnings built so far had

the BRS parachute option installed? If so, what was the weight penalty

and what did it do to the empty balance relative to a comparably

equipped non-BRS plane?



Thanks for any information you can supply!



Jim Logajan,

Still just kicking tires.

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dashvii(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:18 am Post subject: Empty Weight

Jim,

   There was the prototype built with a BRS, don't know the weight penalty, 

Nick can answer that.  There was also one customer plane with it, but the 

plane is on hold until finances and medical can be worked out as I 

understand.  It does signifigantly reduce the amount of room you have for 

baggage though since that is where it hangs.  Brian W.

From: Jim Logajan <JamesL(at)Lugoj.com>

Reply-To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Re: Empty Weight

Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 20:39:42 -0800






Hi all,



Speaking of empty weight, have any of the Lightnings built so far had

the BRS parachute option installed? If so, what was the weight penalty

and what did it do to the empty balance relative to a comparably

equipped non-BRS plane?



Thanks for any information you can supply!



Jim Logajan,

Still just kicking tires.



_________________________________________________________________

Don’t miss your chance to WIN 10 hours of private jet travel from Microsoft

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georgiemun

Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 10
Location: New Hope, PA

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: Empty Weight

What about useful load now?



On the web site, it lists the following:



Gross Weight   1425 lbs 



Empty Weight   775  lbs  



That makes the useful load 650.  Are these the latest figures?  The weight that is listed, is this with a standard instrument package; or what configuration was used to determine the empty weight?



Thanks

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pete(at)flylightning.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:01 pm Post subject: Empty Weight

These are the latest figures.  To quote from the web site:



"The Arion Aircraft development team has been working hard to reduce the

empty weight of the basic Lightning.  Based on the empty weights of recently

completed Lightnings we are reducing the empty weight spec by 25 lbs to 775

lbs.  Builders can achieve this weight for a Lightning with VFR instruments,

Becker Radios (they are light), minimal interior finish, and a wood prop."



As you can see this weight is achievable with VFR instruments, a Becker Comm

radio, intercom, EIS engine monitor, wood prop, and a lightweight interior.

We really have no such thing as a "standard" instrument package as most

builders use the panel to individualize their plane.



Pete



--

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vettin74(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:15 am Post subject: Empty Weight

Aircraft with a bacic interior, meaning mostly speckled paint in the rear baggae are and on the sides of the cockpit, carpet on the baggage floor and cockpit floor, nice seat cushions. As for instruments, a single Horizon sport EFIS , EIS, becker radio and transponder, PM501 intercomm, swiches and breakers. A wood prop, 2 color paint. The basics to make a good day/night VFR aircraft...

   

  Nick



georgiemun <georgiemun(at)yahoo.com> wrote:

  [quote]--> Lightning-List message posted by: "georgiemun" 



What about useful load now?



On the web site, it lists the following:



Gross Weight 1425 lbs 



Empty Weight 775 lbs 



That makes the useful load 650. Are these the latest figures? The weight that is listed, is this when a standard instrument package, or what [quote][b]

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