Thatcher CX4

The CX4 is a low wing, single-seat aircraft designed to be simple to build and safe to fly. The name of the plane, CX4, is taken from an old radio show featuring Hop Harrigan, whose plane was called CX4.

The aircraft is all metal, 6061-T6 aluminium, except the cowling. It has hydraulic disc toe brakes and a heater and ventilation system for all season flying. The aircraft can be built with an optional 3 gal aux fuel tank. The CX4's standard specified powerplant is a Volkswagen air cooled engine. The design load factor is 3.8 g, with an ultimate load of 5.7 g

The CX4 first flew in 2004. At the end of 2010, there were eighteen flying CX4s in the United States and South Africa. Parts and kits are currently supplied by Peter Beck.

Powerplant: 1 × Volkswagen
Length: 18 ft 3 in (5.56 m)
Wingspan: 24 ft (7.3 m)
Height: 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m)
Wing area: 48 sq ft (4.5 sq.m)
Empty weight: 520 lb (236 kg)
Gross weight: 850 lb (386 kg)
Cruise speed: 109 kn; 201 km/h (125 mph)
Stall speed: 35 kph 64 km/h (40 mph)
Never exceed speed: 135 kn; 249 km/h (155 mph)
Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
Rate of climb: 825 ft/min (4.19 m/s)
Crew: 1