The Air Concept Safari Bi FR440/Alpha 18 is a tandem two seat single engined flex wing aircraft with weight shift control. Rogallo wing with fin. Pilot suspended below wing in trike unit, using bar to control pitch and yaw/roll by altering relative positions of trike unit and wing. Wing braced from above by kingpost and cables, from below by cables; floating cross tube construction with double surface on half chord, enclosing cross tube; pre formed ribs. Undercarriage has three wheels in tricycle formation; no suspension on any wheels. Push right go left nosewheel steering independent from yaw control. Optional brake on nosewheel. Aluminium tube trike unit, without pod. Engine mounted below wing driving pusher propeller.
The Safari Bi was designed along the same principles as the single seater trike units from Air Concept, also using rectangular section Duralumin 6061T5 spars measuring 2.4 x 1.6 inch (60 x 40mm). As with virtually all tandem weight shift machines, the control bar is as easy to handle from the front seat as from the rear, but the Safari Bi takes dual control a stage further, as the throttles are accessible to both occupants and the nosewheel steering is twinned to the rear. The Safari Bi/Alpha 18 model uses a 190sq.ft (17.6 sq.m) wing which differentiates it from the two other two seaters offered from this manufacturer. As indicated from the FR440 part of the name, it is equipped with a Fuji Robin EC44 of nominal 440 cc capacity. The choice is left to the purchaser as to which version to fit either the EC44PM of 50 hp with electric start, or the EC44 2PM of 53 hp but hand started. Folded, the trike unit measures 6.7 x 2.8 x 3.4 ft (2.00 x 0. 80 x 1.00 m) and the wing 19.9 x 1.0 x 1.0 ft (6.00 x 0.30 x 0.30 m). Options include, apart from the choice of engine type, a nosewheel brake, a supplementary fuel tank and fairings.
The Safari Bi FR440/Alpha 20 is a combination of the Safari Bi FR440 trike unit with the Alpha 20 wing variations on the same theme but a system which offers an excellent choice to the customer. The EC44 2PM engine is optional.
The Safari Bi FR330/Alpha 20 is basically similar to the Safari Bi FR440/Alpha 18 but with a lower power engine and the Alpha 20 wing with a larger surface area. The structure of this trike unit is the same. The Robin EC34PM can be had with or without electric start and, married to a 214 sq.ft (19.8 sq.m) Alpha 20 wing, gives a lower stall speed than the Safari Bi FR440/Alpha 18 at any given angle of incidence.
Available ready to fly or alternatively as a kit, the kit includes all the parts and accessories necessary to build the trike unit and requires only a drill and a few spanners to assemble it. All cutting, piercing, preparation of cables and other operations which could be hard for an amateur are done by the manufacturer. Detailed plans come with each kit.

Safari Bi FR440/Alpha 18
Engine: Robin EC44, 50hp at 6500rpm
Propeller diameter 54 inch, 1.38 m
Toothed belt reduction, ratio 2.2/1
Max static thrust 261 lb, 118 kg
Power per unit area 0.26hp/sq.ft, 2.8 hp/sq.m
Fuel capacity 2.6 US gal, 2.2 Imp gal, 10.0 litre in main tank; 6.1 US gal, 5.1 Imp gal, 23.0 litre in res
Length overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Height overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Wing span 32.2ft, 9.80m
Chord at root 8.2ft, 2.50 m
Chord at tip 3.4ft, 1.00m
Dihedral 4 degs
Nose angle 122 degs
Total wing area 190 sq.ft, 17.6 sq.m
Wing aspect ratio 5.5/1
Wheelbase 5.7ft, 1.70 m
Nose¬wheel diameter overall 16 inch, 40cm
Main wheels diameter overall 16 inch, 40 cm
Empty weight 254 lb, 115kg
Max take off weight 773 lb, 350kg
Payload 519 lb, 235kg
Max wing loading 4.07 lb/sq.ft, 20.0 kg/sq.m
Max power loading 15.5 lb/hp, 7.0kg/hp
Load factors; +6.0, 3.0 ultimate
Max level speed 53 mph, 85 kph
Never exceed speed 56 mph, 90kph
Max cruising speed 37mph, 60kph
Economic cruising speed 34mph, 55kph
Stalling speed 23 mph, 38 kph
Max climb rate at sea level 500 ft/min, 2.5 m/s
Min sink rate 370 ft/min at 28 mph, 1.9 m/s at 45 kph
Best glide ratio with power off 8/1 at 29 mph, 47 kph
Take off distance 115 ft, 35 m
Land¬ing distance 130 ft, 40 m
Service ceiling 10,000 ft, 3050 m
Range at average cruising speed 100 mile, 160 km

Safari Bi FR440/Alpha 20
Engine: Robin EC44, 50hp at 6500rpm
Propeller diameter 54 inch, 1.38 m
Toothed belt reduction, ratio 2.2/1
Max static thrust 261 lb, 118 kg
Power per unit area 0.23hp/sq.ft, 2.3 hp/sq.m
Fuel capacity 2.6 US gal, 2.2 Imp gal, 10.0 litre in main tank; 6.1 US gal, 5.1 Imp gal, 23.0 litre in res
Length overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Height overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Wing span 32.8ft, 10.0m
Chord at root 8.2ft, 2.50 m
Chord at tip 3.4ft, 1.00m
Dihedral 4 degs
Nose angle 122 degs
Total wing area 214 sq.ft, 19.8 sq.m
Wing aspect ratio 5.1/1
Wheelbase 5.7ft, 1.70 m
Nose¬wheel diameter overall 16 inch, 40cm
Main wheels diameter overall 16 inch, 40 cm
Empty weight 254 lb, 115kg
Max take off weight 773 lb, 350kg
Payload 519 lb, 235kg
Max wing loading 3.61 lb/sq.ft, 17.7 kg/sq.m
Max power loading 15.5 lb/hp, 7.0kg/hp
Load factors; +6.0, 3.0 ultimate
Max level speed 47 mph, 75 kph
Never exceed speed 56 mph, 90kph
Max cruising speed 31mph, 50kph
Economic cruising speed 28mph, 45kph
Stalling speed 21 mph, 33 kph
Max climb rate at sea level 500 ft/min, 2.5 m/s
Min sink rate 310 ft/min at 25 mph, 1.6 m/s at 40 kph
Best glide ratio with power off 8/1 at 27 mph, 44kph
Take off distance 100ft, 30 m
Land¬ing distance 100 ft, 30 m
Service ceiling 10,000 ft, 3050 m
Range at average cruising speed 93 mile, 150km

Safari Bi FR330/Alpha 20
Engine: Robin EC34Pm, 32 hp at 6500 rpm
Propeller diameter 54 inch, 1.38 m
Toothed belt reduction, ratio 2.0/1
Max static thrust 203 lb, 92 kg
Power per unit area 0.15hp/sq.ft, 1.6hp/sq.m
Fuel capacity 2.6 US gal, 2.2 Imp gal, 10.0 litre in main tank; 6.1 US gal, 5.1 Imp gal, 23.0 litre in res
Length overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Height overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Wing span 32.8ft, 10.0m
Chord at root 8.2ft, 2.50 m
Chord at tip 3.4ft, 1.00m
Dihedral 4 degs
Nose angle 122 degs
Total wing area 214 sq.ft, 19.8 sq.m
Wing aspect ratio 5.1/1
Wheelbase 5.7ft, 1.70 m
Nose¬wheel diameter overall 16 inch, 40cm
Main wheels diameter overall 16 inch, 40 cm
Empty weight 221 lb, 100 kg
Max take off weight 662 lb, 300kg
Payload 441 lb, 200 kg
Max wing loading 3.09 lb/sq.ft, 15.2kg/sq.m
Max power loading 20.7 lb/hp, 9.4kg/hp
Load factors; +6.0, 3.0 ultimate
Max level speed 44 mph, 70 kph
Never exceed speed 56 mph, 90 kph
Max cruising speed 31 mph, 50 kph
Economic cruising speed 28 mph, 45 kph
Stalling speed 20 mph, 32 kph
Max climb rate at sea level 300 ft/min, 1.5 m/s
Min sink rate 300 ft/min at 24 mph, 1.5 m/s at 40 kph
Best glide ratio with power off 8/1 at 28 mph, 45 kph
Take off distance 100 ft, 30 m
Land¬ing distance 100 ft, 30 m
Service ceiling 10,000ft, 3050 m
Range at average cruising speed 124 mile, 200 km

The range offered by Air Concept in 1982 was best understood by considering three trike units. First is a tubular structure single seat trike unit, the Safari, second comes the polyester Safari GT single seater and finally the two seater Safari Bi. With each trike unit the firm also supplies an appropriate flex¬wing, such as the Alpha or Alpha Racer for the single seaters and the Alpha 18, Alpha20, or Centaure for the two seaters. Each assem¬bly takes its name from its components, for example Safari/Alpha, the basic model, which we detail below. The suffix FR250 indicates which motor has been used, a Fuji Robin EC25PS in this case.
The Safari FR250/Alpha is a single seat single engined flex wing aircraft with weight shift control. Rogallo wing with keel pocket. Pilot suspended below wing in trike unit, using bar to control pitch and yaw/roll by altering relative positions of trike unit and wing. Wing braced from above by kingpost and cables, from below by cables; floating cross tube construction with double surface on half chord, enclosing cross tube; pre formed ribs. Undercarriage has three wheels in tricycle formation; no suspension on any wheels. Push right go left nosewheel steering independent from yaw control. Optional brake on nosewheel. Aluminium tube trike unit, without pod. Engine mounted below wing driving pusher propeller. The single seater Safari FR250/Alpha is transportable on a roof rack or trailer, the wing when folded measures 19.8 x 1.0 x 1.0ft (6.00 x 0.30 x 0.30 m).
The Safari GT FR250/Alpha and Safari GTL FR250/Alpha are the same as the Safari FR250/Alpha except: no suspension on nosewheel and glass fibre suspension on main wheels. Glass fibre trike unit, partially enclosed.
The Safari GT trike unit is entirely moulded in polyester with the exception of the vertical mast carrying the wing attachment, which is made of 2.20 x 0.08 inch (54 x 2mm) round section Duralumin AU4G1T4. The pod and its windscreen protect the pilot well from the vagaries of the weather. The only drawback to a faired in trike is that it necessitates the use of a trailer for transport; this trike for instance has a volume even without its wing of 6.6 x 2.0 x 3.4 ft (2.00 x 0.50 x 1.00 m). The machine is also offered in the Safari G TL version which benefits from all the options available for the basic GT model, these being tow hook, faired main undercarriage, wheel spats and propeller spinner. The trike unit ‘fuselage’ with windscreen and the three wheel spats were available separately from Eole 2000.

Safari FR250/Alpha
Engine: Robin EC25PS, 18.5 hp at 6000 rpm
Prop¬eller diameter 54 inch, 1.37m
V belt reduction, ratio 2.0/1
Max static thrust 139 lb, 63 kg
Power per unit area 0.10 hp/sq.ft, 1.1 hp/sq.m
Fuel capacity 2 US gal, 2.2 Imp gal, 10.0 litre in main tank; 6. US gal, 5.1 Imp gal, 23.0 litre in reserve
Length overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Height overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Wing span 32.2ft, 9.80m
Chord at root 6.7 ft, 2.0 m
Chord at tip 2.3 ft 0.70 m
Dihedral 4 degs
Nose angle 122 degs
Total wing area 181 sq.ft, 16.8 sq.m
Wing aspect ratio 5.7/1
Wheelbase 5.7ft, 1.70m
Nosewheel diameter overall 10 inch, 26 cm
Main wheels diameter overall 12 inch, 30 cm
Empty weight 170 lb, 77kg
Max take off weight 442 lb, 200kg
Payload 272 lb, 123kg
Max wing loading 2.44 lb/sq.ft, 11.9 kg/sq.m
Max power loading 23.9 lb/hp, 11.1kg/hp
Load factors; +6.0, 3.0 ultimate
Max level speed 44mph, 70kph
Never exceed speed 56mph, 90kph
Max cruising speed 31mph, 50kph
Economic cruising speed 28mph, 45kph
Stalling speed 17 mph, 28 kph
Max climb rate at sea level 400 ft/min, 2.0 m/s
Min sink rate 280 ft/min at 24 mph, 1.4 m/s at 40 kph
Best glide ratio with power off 8/1 at 27 mph, 43 kph
Take off distance 65 ft, 20 m
Landing distance 100 ft, 30 m
Service ceiling 10,000 ft, 3050 m
Range at average cruising speed 155 mile, 250 km

Safari GT FR250/Alpha
Engine: Robin EC25PS, 18.5 hp at 6000 rpm
Prop¬eller diameter 54 inch, 1.37m
V belt reduction, ratio 2.0/1
Max static thrust 139 lb, 63 kg
Power per unit area 0.10 hp/sq.ft, 1.1 hp/sq.m
Fuel capacity 2 US gal, 2.2 Imp gal, 10.0 litre in main tank; 6. US gal, 5.1 Imp gal, 23.0 litre in reserve
Length overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Height overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Wing span 32.2ft, 9.80m
Chord at root 6.7 ft, 2.0 m
Chord at tip 2.3 ft 0.70 m
Dihedral 4 degs
Nose angle 122 degs
Total wing area 181 sq.ft, 16.8 sq.m
Wing aspect ratio 5.7/1
Wheelbase 5.3ft, 1.60m
Nosewheel diameter overall 12 inch, 30 cm
Main wheels diameter overall 12 inch, 30 cm
Empty weight 166 lb, 75kg
Max take off weight 441 lb, 200kg
Payload 276 lb, 125 kg
Max wing loading 2.44 lb/sq.ft, 11.9 kg/sq.m
Max power loading 23.8 lb/hp, 11.1kg/hp
Load factors; +6.0, 3.0 ultimate
Max level speed 47 mph, 75 kph
Never exceed speed 56 mph, 90kph
Max cruising speed 34mph, 55kph
Economic cruising speed 28mph, 45kph
Stalling speed 17 mph, 28 kph
Max climb rate at sea level 400 ft/min, 2.0 m/s
Min sink rate 240 ft/min at 24 mph, 1.2 m/s at 40 kph
Best glide ratio with power off 9/1 at 27 mph, 43 kph
Take off distance 65 ft, 20 m
Landing distance 100 ft, 30 m
Service ceiling 10,000 ft, 3050 m
Range at average cruising speed 155 mile, 250 km

Safari GTL FR250/Alpha
Engine: Robin EC25PS, 18.5 hp at 6000 rpm
Prop¬eller diameter 54 inch, 1.37m
V belt reduction, ratio 2.0/1
Max static thrust 139 lb, 63 kg
Power per unit area 0.10 hp/sq.ft, 1.1 hp/sq.m
Fuel capacity 2. US gal, 2.2 Imp gal, 10.0 litre in main tank; 6. US gal, 5.1 Imp gal, 23.0 litre in reserve
Length overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Height overall 9.8ft, 3.00m
Wing span 32.2ft, 9.80m
Chord at root 6.7 ft, 2.0 m
Chord at tip 2.3 ft 0.70 m
Dihedral 4 degs
Nose angle 122 degs
Total wing area 181 sq.ft, 16.8 sq.m
Wing aspect ratio 5.7/1
Wheelbase 5.3ft, 1.60m
Nosewheel diameter overall 12 inch, 30 cm
Main wheels diameter overall 12 inch, 30 cm
Empty weight 166 lb, 75kg
Max take off weight 441 lb, 200kg
Payload 276 lb, 125 kg
Max wing loading 2.44 lb/sq.ft, 11.9 kg/sq.m
Max power loading 23.8 lb/hp, 11.1kg/hp
Load factors; +6.0, 3.0 ultimate
Max level speed 47 mph, 75 kph
Never exceed speed 56 mph, 90kph
Max cruising speed 34mph, 55kph
Economic cruising speed 28mph, 45kph
Stalling speed 17 mph, 28 kph
Max climb rate at sea level 400 ft/min, 2.0 m/s
Min sink rate 240 ft/min at 24 mph, 1.2 m/s at 40 kph
Best glide ratio with power off 9/1 at 27 mph, 43 kph
Take off distance 65 ft, 20 m
Landing distance 100 ft, 30 m
Service ceiling 10,000 ft, 3050 m
Range at average cruising speed 155 mile, 250 km