Starflight TX1000

Similar to the Tristar except with a conventional three-axis aerodynamic control system, nosewheel has suspension and a nosewheel brake. The prototype of the TX 1000 had its first public showing at Sun'n'Fun in March 1983 at Lakeland, Florida. De-scribed by Dick Turner as a development of the Tristar, this newcomer uses the same wing with 5 degrees of dihedral and double skin over 30% of the chord. However, it uses a different engine, a Rotax unit.

It also has a considerably reinforced structure, the leading edge spars being 2 inch (51 mm) diameter, and the compression tubes and trailing edge spars 1.5 inch (38mm). There are other differences from the Tristar too: the horizontal tail is stiffened in flight by V-struts and on the ground by stainless steel cables instead of just the cables of its predecessor. On this model a braked steerable nosewheel is standard. There is a black epoxy coating on all exposed airframe parts, bonded to the tubing and baked to a glass finish.

The TX 1000 was sold as a kit requiring 40 h for assembly for $5195 in 1983, options being electric start and a hand-deployed parachute.

Manufactured by Spectrum Aircraft Inc.

Engine: Rotax 377, 34 hp at 6500 rpm
Propeller diameter and pitch 54 x 27 inch, 1.37 x 0.69 m
Belt reduction, ratio 2.1/1
Max static thrust 250 lb, 113 kg
Power per unit area 0.20 hp/sq.ft, 2.2 hp/sq.m
Fuel capacity 4.5 US gal, 3.8 Imp gal, 17.0 litre
Length overall 15.0ft, 4.57m
Height overall 9.0 ft, 2.74 m
Wing span 33.0 ft, 10.05 m
Constant chord 5.0ft, 1.52m
Dihedral 5 deg
Sweepback 0 deg
Total wing area 165 sq.ft, 15.3 sq.m
Wing aspect ratio 6.6/1
Nosewheel diameter overall 16 inch, 41 cm
Main wheels diameter overall 16 inch, 41 cm
Fin height 8.0 ft, 2.44 m
Total elevator area 25.0sq.ft, 2.32 sq.m
Empty weight 252 lb, 114kg
Max take-off weight 502 lb, 228 kg
Payload 250 lb, 113 kg
Max wing loading 3.14 lb/sq.ft, 14.8 kg/sq.m
Max power loading 14.8 1b/hp, 6.7kg/hp
Load factors; +5.8, -3.6 ultimate
Max level speed 60 mph, 97 kph
Never exceed speed 75 mph, 121 kph
Max cruising speed 45 mph, 72 kph
Economic cruising speed 32 mph, 51 kph
Stalling speed 21 mph, 34 kph
Max climb rate at sea level 800 ft/min, 4.1 m/s
Min sink rate 320 ft/min at 30 mph, 1.6 m/s at 48 kph
Best glide ratio with power off 7.14 at 32mph, 51 kph
Take-off distance 50 ft, 15 m
Landing distance 50 ft, 15 m
Service ceiling 12,000 ft, 3660 m
Range at average cruising speed 90 mile, 145 km