The TL Ultralight TL-96 Star is a single-engine, side-by-side configuration two seat ultralight, designed in the Czech Republic in the 1990s. More than 150 have been registered.
TL-96 Star | |
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Role | Two side by side seat ultralight |
National origin | Czech Republic |
Manufacturer | TL–Ultralight |
First flight | November 1997 |
The TL-96 Star is a single-engine, low wing monoplane seating two side by side under a prominent single-piece, forward-hinging canopy. A second, fixed transparency forms the rear of the cabin. The structure is all composite, a mixture of glass and carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP). Its wings are unswept and have constant chord apart from a slight rounding of the leading edge at the tips; they carry plain inboard flaps. The one-piece, all-moving tailplane has a similar plan and is fitted with a central anti-balance tab. The fin and rudder are swept, the latter horn balanced. It has a tricycle undercarriage with faired wheels and cable brakes.[1][2]
The Star can be powered by one of several flat four engines, including the 60 kW (80 hp) Rotax 912, the 86 kW (115 hp) Rotax 914 or the 67 kW (90 hp) Aero Prag AP-45. The Rotax engines drive three-blade propeller, the Aero Prag a two-blade wooden one.[1]
The Star flew for the first time in November 1997 and had achieved German certification before 2000.[1]
As of mid-2010, there were 202 TL-96 Stars and 153 TL-2000 Stings on European civil registers, excluding Russia.[7]
On 25 July 2020, shortly after takeoff a TL-96 suffered a structural failure and crashed into a residential building near the city of Wesel in Western Germany, killing both aircraft occupants and one woman in the apartment that it impacted.[8]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11[3]
General characteristics
Performance