Express Design Express
Wheeler Express
Express S-90
The Wheeler Express was designed not around the standard issue 170lb pilot/passenger, the aircraft providing two inches additional head and leg room. Cockpit width is the same as a late model Beech Bonanza. Designer Ken Wheeler reasoned that, as a four place aircraft, much of the flight time would be logged on long distance cross country with a consequent requirement for comfort. The basic construction of the Express is a foam covered sandwich, monocoque structure; built up from E-glass, various foam core materials and vynalester resin.
Formed in two pieces split horizontally, the fuselage comes ready to be joined; the packing case serving as the lower fuselage jig.
The aircraft is stressed to 11 Gs. Powered by a Lycoming IO-360, the low wing, fixed tricycle undercarriage Wheeler Express is said to out-lift a Cardinal, out-distance a Bonanza and out-climb a Mooney.
Lycoming IO-360
In 1988 the kit price was US$19,750.
In 1998 Express Aircraft offered a revised version of the Express in kit form. The claim was the composite four seater would be easier to build, lighter, and with a larger tailplane to improce handling. Construction time was still more than 2000 hrs.
The production Express featured a larger fuselage and a new powerplant. The four seat composite aircraft is now powered by a six cylinder, 210 hp Continental engine, which provides a 210 mph cruise over a 1,200 mile range.
Optional low or cruiciform tail, and cargo pod requiring a minimum of 250 hp.
Wheeler Express
Engine: Lycoming IO-360, 200 hp
Wingspan: 31 ft
MTOW: 2300 lb
Fuel capacity: 51 USG
Cruise: 195 mph at 7000 ft
Range: 1100 mi
Engine: Lycoming IO-540, 300 hp
Wing span: 9.45 m
Wing area: 11.96 sq.m
MAUW: 1452 kg
Empty weight: 835 kg
Fuel capacity: 348 lt
Max speed: 362 kph
Cruise speed: 338 kph
Minimum speed: 92 kph
Climb rate: 8 m/s
Fuel consumption: 50 lt/hr
Seats: 4
Kit price (1998): $32,000
90 FT
Engine: Lycoming IO-540, 300 hp.
Speed max: 220 mph.
Cruise: 220 mph.
Range: 1450 sm.
Stall: 58 mph.
ROC: 1200 fpm.
Take-off dist: 1200 ft.
Landing dist: 800 ft.
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft.
Fuel cap: 92 USG.
Weight empty: 1875 lbs.
Gross: 3200 lbs.
Height: 8 ft.
Length: 25 ft.
Wing span: 31 ft.
Wing area: 130 sq.ft.
Seats: 4-6.
Landing gear: nose wheel.
90 TD
Engine: Lycoming IO-550, 280 hp.
Speed max: 235 mph.
Cruise: 225 mph.
Range: 1600 sm.
Stall: 58 mph.
ROC: 1200 fpm.
Take-off dist: 1200 ft.
Landing dist: 800 ft.
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft.
Fuel cap: 92 USG.
Weight empty: 1790 lbs.
Gross: 3200 lbs.
Height: 8 ft.
Length: 25 ft.
Wing span: 31 ft.
Wing area: 130 sq.ft.
Seats: 4-6.
Landing gear: tail wheel.
S-90
Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5, 300 hp.
Vne: 230 kt.
Cruise 75%: 185 kts.
Stall: 55 kts.
Seats: 4.
