Albi II – a new generation development

Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Karlovo namesti 13, Prague, 121 35 Czech Republic

^* Corresponding author: Robert.Theiner@fs.cvut.cz

Abstract

The UL-39 Albi university's all-composite ultralight aircraft project, powered by a piston engine and ducted fan, continues at the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering CTU in Prague and its partners ZALL JIHLAVAN airplanes, s.r.o. and LA composite, s.r.o. by developing its new generation. The article is a follow-up to a contribution from 2017, where the entire genesis of the first prototype was described. The introduction summarizes the experience of the prototype operation and analyzes the deficiencies that required a major redesign of the propulsion unit. Aspects leading to the choice of another propulsion unit arrangement and changes in the ducted fan, airframe and systems are described. The fuselage of the airplane has undergone a dominant change. The paper describes not only structural changes leading to the reduction of the width of the fuselage and its wetted area, but also the changes in manufacturing process of composite parts leading to weight reduction. Following the changes in the fuselage design modifications of the wing (mainly high lift devices) and modification of the horizontal tail plane are described. At the end there is a plan of further development described, which should ultimately lead to the commercialization of the project.