Wilson Private Explorer
Dean W. Wilson · United States · first flew 1998 · light aircraft
The Wilson Private Explorer is an American-built recreational aircraft of the late 1990s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.07 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Strut-braced high wing on a tubular steel fabric-covered frame
- Fixed tricycle undercarriage that can be removed for floats
- Rear compartment with a double bed and two armchairs
A strut-braced high-wing monoplane with four passenger seats at the front and a rear accommodation compartment.
Specifications
- The Wilson Private Explorer has a length of 9.07 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.4 m (47 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 180 km/h (112 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Hubert de Chevigny designed it as a scaled-down single-engine version of his twin-engined Wilson Global Explorer, and it first flew in January 1998.
Variants
Various Lycoming engines of 235 to 300 hp have been fitted, and the type has been tested with a Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop.
Where you'll see it
It is used by individuals as an airborne recreational vehicle from land and water. It is supplied to amateur constructors in kit form, and two were registered in the United States in 2010.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.