Fly Synthesis Texan

The Fly Synthesis Texan is an Italian ultralight and light-sport aircraft, designed and produced by Fly Synthesis and which has been in production since 1999. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.

Design and development
The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules and US light-sport aircraft rules. It features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed or retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.

The aircraft is made from carbon fibre. Its 8.60 m span wing has an area of 11.80 m2 and flaps. Standard engines available are the 80 hp Rotax 912UL, the 100 hp Rotax 912ULS and the 85 hp Jabiru 2200 four-stroke powerplants.

Operational history
On 23 November 2013, six Fly Synthesis Texans broke the Guinness world record for the lowest flying formation by flying at 422 m below sea level at the Dead Sea in Israel.

Variants

 * Texan 600
 * Version with a gross weight of 600 kg and with fixed landing gear, for the United States light-sport aircraft class. Known as the Lafayette Texan in the US.


 * Texan Top Class
 * Version with a gross weight of 472.5 kg and with fixed landing gear, for the European microlight aircraft class.


 * Texan Club
 * Version of the Texan Top Class with a gross weight of 472.5 kg, with fixed landing gear and equipped with a 80 hp Rotax 912UL engine for the European microlight aircraft class.


 * Texan RG
 * Version of the Texan Top Class with a gross weight of 472.5 kg and retractable landing gear for the European microlight aircraft class.