The Turbine Legend is an American sports monoplane designed by Performance Aircraft for sale as a kit for amateur construction. The assets of Performance Aircraft were taken over by Lanny Rundell to be marketed by Legend Aircraft of Winnsboro, Louisiana.
Design and development
The Legend was first flown in 1996 by Performance Aircraft, the prototype was converted into a Turbine Legend in 1999. The Legend is a streamlined low-wing monoplane mainly constructed of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer. It has swept-back tail surfaces with a mid-mounted tailplane and tapered wings, with optional winglets. The prototype was powered by a 575 hp (429 kW) Chevrolet V-8 engine with a three-bladed tractor propeller and a ventral air-scoop, the Turbine Legend has a 724 shp (540 kW) Walter M601 turboprop with a three-bladed tractor propeller. The Legend has a retractable tricycle landing gear; the mainwheels retract inwards and the nosewheel rearwards. The enclosed cockpit has room for two persons in tandem seats with dual controls and has a rear-hinged, upward-opening, canopy with a fixed windscreen.
Legend
Piston-engined variant, powered by a 575 shp (429 kW) Chevrolet V-8 automotive conversion piston engine.
Turbine Legend
Turboprop-engined variant, powered by a 724 shp (540 kW) Walter M601 turboprop engine.
JC 100
A Turbine Legend built by Toys 4 Boys in 2000, designated the JC 100
Turbine Legend (Garrett Edition)
A Turbine Legend was built by Innovative Wings Inc. utilizing a 1,100 hp (820 kW) Garrett TPE331-10 engine.
Turbine Legend Venom
A military version marketed by Venom Military Aircraft and intended for the training and light attack roles. It has a 750 shp (559 kW) GE H75 engine, major changes to the wing design, a carbon fiber composite structure, fuel capacity increased to 145 U.S. gallons (550 L; 121 imp gal), full digital panel, electric remote canopy, aft spar flaps system and electric Fowler flaps. No sales have yet been announced.
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-2004
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 25 ft 9 in (7.84 m)
Wingspan: 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
Height: 9 ft 5 in (2.86 m)
Wing area: 101.0 sq ft (9.38 m2)
Aspect ratio: 8.0
Empty weight: 2,050 lb (930 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 3,298 lb (1,496 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Walter M601 Turboprop, 720 hp (540 kW)
Propellers: 3-bladed Avia V 508E/84
Performance
Maximum speed: 356 mph; 309 kn (573 km/h)
Cruise speed: 334 mph; 290 kn (537 km/h) maximum at 25000 ft (7620 m)
Stall speed: 76 mph; 66 kn (123 km/h) landing configuration
Never exceed speed: 400 mph; 347 kn (643 km/h)
Range: 944 mi; 821 nmi (1,520 km) at max cruising speed with standard fuel and reserves
Service ceiling: 35,010 ft (10,670 m)
g limits: +6/-4
Rate of climb: 6,500 ft/min (33 m/s)
Wing loading: 32.67 lb/sq ft (159.5 kg/m2)
