Take Off Merlin

The Take Off Merlin is a German ultralight trike, designed and produced by Take Off GmbH of Hamm. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]

Merlin
Role Ultralight trike
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Take Off GmbH
Introduction 1994
Status In production (2018)
Produced 1994-present

Design and development

The Merlin was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift controls, a two-seats-in-tandem open cockpit with a cockpit fairing, tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft is made from welded stainless steel tubing, with its double surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 10 m (32.8 ft) span wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame weight-shift control bar. The powerplants are various BMW motorcycle engines that vary by model.[1]

A number of different wings can be fitted to the basic carriage, including the Drachen Studio Avent and Air Creation iXess .[1]

Variants
Merlin 100
Initial version introduced in 1994[2]
Merlin 1100
Model introduced in 1998 and powered by a four-stroke, 90 hp (67 kW) BMW 1100 RS engine. The 1100 has an empty weight of 195 kg (430 lb) and a gross weight of 400 kg (882 lb), giving a useful load of 205 kg (452 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload is 162 kg (357 lb).[1][2]
Merlin 1200
Model introduced in 2006 and powered by a four-stroke, 95 hp (71 kW) BMW 1200 GS engine. The 1200 has an empty weight of 230 kg (507 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb), giving a useful load of 220 kg (485 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload is 177 kg (390 lb).[1][2]

Specifications (Merlin 1200)

Data from Bayerl[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 15.2 m2 (164 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 230 kg (507 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × BMW 1200 GS four stroke motorcycle engine, 71 kW (95 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
  • Stall speed: 55 km/h (34 mph, 30 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 29.6 kg/m2 (6.1 lb/sq ft)

References
  1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 223. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Take Off GmbH (2006). "Trikes". Retrieved 6 September 2013.
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