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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}
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<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
| name=FMX-4 Facetmobile
| name=FMX-4 Facetmobile
| image=Facetmobile.png
| image=Facetmobile.png
| caption=The FMX-4 Facetmobile in flight
| caption=The FMX-4 Facetmobile in flight
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
| type=Homebuilt Aircraft
| type=Homebuilt Aircraft
| national origin=United States
| national origin=United States
| manufacturer=
| manufacturer=
| designer=Barnaby Wainfan, Lynne Wainfan, Rick Dean
| designer=Barnaby Wainfan
| first flight=April 22, 1993
| first flight=April 22, 1993
| introduced=
| introduced=
Line 25: Line 25:
|}
|}


The '''Wainfan FMX-4 Facetmobile''' is an [[United States|American]] [[homebuilt aircraft]] designed by Barnaby Wainfan, a [[Northrop Grumman]] aerodynamicist and homebuilt aircraft engineer.
The '''Wainfan FMX-4 Facetmobile''' is an American [[homebuilt aircraft]] designed by Barnaby Wainfan, a [[Northrop Grumman]] aerodynamicist and homebuilt aircraft engineer.


While only one Facetmobile prototype was produced, it has become well known due to its unique nature.<ref>{{cite journal|magazine=Sport Aviation|title=The Facetmobile|author=Jack Cox|date=October 1994}}</ref> The aircraft is unusual in that it is a [[lifting body]] – the whole aircraft acts as a low [[aspect ratio (wing)|aspect ratio]] [[wing]]: a flat, angular lifting shape, while lacking actual wings.<ref name="FACET">[http://www.wainfan.com/facet.htm Barnaby and Lynn Wainfan's Facetmobile page], accessed October 24, 2006</ref> Also notable is that the aircraft's shape is formed of a series of 11 flat surfaces, somewhat similar to the body of the [[F-117 Nighthawk]] jet strike aircraft in using flat plates, but without separate wing structures.
The FMX-4 Facetmobile prototype was built by Lynne Wainfan, Barnaby Wainfan, and Rick Dean in Chino, California. Designer Barnaby Wainfan flew the plane to the Experimental Aircraft Association's Oshkosh fly-in in July 1994. That debut along with media coverage has sparked interest in its unique design and gentle flying qualities.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|title=The Facetmobile|author=Jack Cox|date=October 1994}}</ref> The aircraft is unusual in that it is a [[lifting body]] – the whole aircraft acts as a low [[aspect ratio (wing)|aspect ratio]] [[wing]]: a flat, angular lifting shape, unlike traditional aircraft which use distinct lift-generating wings attached to a non-lifting fuselage. Also notably the aircraft's shape is formed of a series of 11 flat surfaces, somewhat similar to the body of the [[F-117 Nighthawk]] jet strike aircraft in using flat plates, but without separate wing structures. Although aerodynamic efficiency is reduced due to the simplistic shaping, that shaping reduces structural weight, improving payload mass fraction.<ref name="NASAPAV" />


==Design and development==
==Design and development==

<ref name="FACET" /><ref name="FACETFAQ">[http://www.wainfan.com/fmfaq.htm Facetmobile FAQ], accessed October 24, 2006</ref>
===Shape===
===Shape===
The FMX-4 Facetmobile shape forms 11 flat planes, plus two wingtip rudders. Three flat shapes form the bottom of the aircraft (slightly inclined front, flat middle, and sharply raised back), and eight form the top (one large downwards-sloping rear section, one thin nose section, and three inclined side panels per side). The wing section is an 18% thickness ratio, much thicker than the typical 12-15% thickness of normal light aircraft wings. At least one commercial model airplane kit of the Facetmobile is in production.<ref>[http://www.eam.net/EAMRC/skunkworks/Facetmobile/incredible_facetmobile.htm Incredible Facetmobile], accessed October 24, 2006</ref>
The FMX-4 Facetmobile shape forms 11 flat planes, plus two wingtip rudders. Three flat shapes form the bottom of the aircraft (slightly inclined front, flat middle, and sharply raised back), and eight form the top (one large downwards-sloping rear section, one thin nose section, and three inclined side panels per side). The wing section is an 18% thickness ratio, much thicker than the typical 12-15% thickness of normal light aircraft wings. At least one commercial model airplane kit of the Facetmobile is in production.<ref>[http://www.eam.net/EAMRC/skunkworks/Facetmobile/incredible_facetmobile.htm Incredible Facetmobile], accessed October 24, 2006</ref>


The prototype FMX-4 Facetmobile crashed on October 13, 1995, after an in-flight engine failure. The aircraft landed at low speed into a [[barbed wire]] fence, which caused extensive skin, engine, and some structural damage, though there was no injury to the pilot, Barnaby Wainfan.<ref>{{cite journal|magazine=Popular Science|date=January 2005|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wgKpEb86UPIC&pg=PA62&dq=Facetmobile&hl=en&sa=X&ei=D34yVcOKEYaBywPO6ICIBA&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Facetmobile&f=false |title=The Daring Visionaries of Crackpot Aviation -- Barnaby Wainfan: Aero Ace Piecing it Together |first=Jeff |last=Wise}}</ref> As of 2006, the aircraft has been partially repaired but not flown again.
The prototype FMX-4 Facetmobile crashed on October 13, 1994, after an in-flight engine failure. The aircraft landed at low speed into a [[barbed wire]] fence, which caused extensive skin, engine, and some structural damage, though there was no injury to the pilot, Barnaby Wainfan.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Popular Science|date=January 2005|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wgKpEb86UPIC&dq=Facetmobile&pg=PA62 |title=The Daring Visionaries of Crackpot Aviation -- Barnaby Wainfan: Aero Ace Piecing it Together |first=Jeff |last=Wise}}</ref> As of 2006, the aircraft has been partially repaired but not flown again.


===Structure===
===Structure===
The Facetmobile structure is composed of [[6061 aluminum]] tubing fastened with Cherrymax rivets. The fuselage uses conventional [[Aircraft fabric|fabric covering]]. The aircraft uses [[elevons]] and rudders for control. The landing gear is a fixed tricycle type. The large windshield sections are augmented by two-floor-mounted windows. The aircraft is boarded through a bottom-mounted hatch. The aircraft has a BRS parachute system installed.
The Facetmobile structure is composed of [[6061 aluminum]] tubing fastened with Cherrymax rivets. The fuselage uses conventional [[Aircraft fabric|fabric covering]]. The aircraft uses [[elevons]] and rudders for control. The landing gear is a fixed tricycle type. The large windshield sections are augmented by two floor-mounted windows. The aircraft is boarded through a bottom-mounted hatch. The aircraft has a BRS parachute system installed.


==Variants==
==Variants==
Wainfan has proposed two derivative aircraft based on the FMX-4 Facetmobile.
Wainfan has proposed two derivative aircraft based on the FMX-4 Facetmobile.
* FMX-5 Facetmobile, a larger 2-seat design using the same [[aluminum-tube-and-fabric construction]].
* FMX-5 Facetmobile, a larger 2-seat design using the same [[aluminum-tube-and-fabric construction]].
* An unnamed similar 2-seat design using advanced flat composite panel construction.<ref name="NASAPAV">[http://www.wainfan.com/pavreport.pdf NASA LARC NAG-1-03054 "Feasibility Study of the Low Aspect Ratio All All-Lifting Configuration as a Low-Cost Personal Aircraft"], Barnaby Wainfan and Hans Neiubert, February 2004, accessed October 24, 2006</ref>
* An unnamed similar 2-seat design using advanced flat composite panel construction.<ref name="NASAPAV">[https://wainfan.co/media/pavreport.pdf NASA LARC NAG-1-03054 "Feasibility Study of the Low Aspect Ratio All All-Lifting Configuration as a Low-Cost Personal Aircraft"], Barnaby Wainfan and Hans Neiubert, February 2004, accessed October 24, 2006</ref>


==Specifications (Facetmobile FMX-4)==
==Specifications (Facetmobile FMX-4)==
{{Aircraft specs
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=[https://wainfan.co/#facetmobile]
|ref=Sport Aviation
|prime units?=kts
|prime units?=kts
<!--
<!--
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|power original=
|power original=
|thrust original=
|thrust original=
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->

|eng2 number=
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|eng2 type=
|eng2 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
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|eng2 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->

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|prop blade number=3<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop blade number=3<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=GSC
|prop name=GSC ground adjustable
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop note=Ground adjustable
|prop dia note=


|rot number=<!-- helicopters -->
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|rot area note=
<!--
<!--
Performance
Performance
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|cruise speed note=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=<!-- aerobatic -->
|stall speed kmh=<!-- aerobatic -->
|stall speed mph=33<!-- aerobatic -->
|stall speed mph=<!-- aerobatic -->
|stall speed kts=
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|stall speed note=
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|sink rate note=
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=3.45
|wing loading lb/sqft=3.45
|wing loading note=
|wing loading note=
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==See also==
==See also==
*[[Lifting body]]
*[[Lifting body]]

{{aircontent
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|see also=
|related=<!-- related developments -->
|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->
*[[Dean Delt-Air 250]]
*[[Dyke Delta]]
*Rohr 2-175
*[[Verhees D-Plane 1]]
|lists=<!-- related lists -->
}}


==References==
==References==
Line 245: Line 224:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Wainfan Facetmobile}}
{{Commons category|Wainfan Facetmobile}}
* [http://www.facetmobile.com/ Barnaby and Lynne Wainfan's Facetmobile page], accessed September 23, 2011.
* [https://wainfan.co Barnaby Wainfan's website], accessed October 17, 2022.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44kDq_PXvro Quarter scale Facetmobile] Youtube clip of a radio-controlled model.


[[Category:United States civil utility aircraft 1990–1999]]
[[Category:1990s United States civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]]
[[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]]
[[Category:Lifting bodies]]
[[Category:Lifting bodies]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1993]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]

Latest revision as of 13:05, 4 July 2024

FMX-4 Facetmobile
The FMX-4 Facetmobile in flight
Role Homebuilt Aircraft
National origin United States
Designer Barnaby Wainfan
First flight April 22, 1993
Number built 1

The Wainfan FMX-4 Facetmobile is an American homebuilt aircraft designed by Barnaby Wainfan, a Northrop Grumman aerodynamicist and homebuilt aircraft engineer.

The FMX-4 Facetmobile prototype was built by Lynne Wainfan, Barnaby Wainfan, and Rick Dean in Chino, California. Designer Barnaby Wainfan flew the plane to the Experimental Aircraft Association's Oshkosh fly-in in July 1994. That debut along with media coverage has sparked interest in its unique design and gentle flying qualities.[1] The aircraft is unusual in that it is a lifting body – the whole aircraft acts as a low aspect ratio wing: a flat, angular lifting shape, unlike traditional aircraft which use distinct lift-generating wings attached to a non-lifting fuselage. Also notably the aircraft's shape is formed of a series of 11 flat surfaces, somewhat similar to the body of the F-117 Nighthawk jet strike aircraft in using flat plates, but without separate wing structures. Although aerodynamic efficiency is reduced due to the simplistic shaping, that shaping reduces structural weight, improving payload mass fraction.[2]

Design and development

[edit]

Shape

[edit]

The FMX-4 Facetmobile shape forms 11 flat planes, plus two wingtip rudders. Three flat shapes form the bottom of the aircraft (slightly inclined front, flat middle, and sharply raised back), and eight form the top (one large downwards-sloping rear section, one thin nose section, and three inclined side panels per side). The wing section is an 18% thickness ratio, much thicker than the typical 12-15% thickness of normal light aircraft wings. At least one commercial model airplane kit of the Facetmobile is in production.[3]

The prototype FMX-4 Facetmobile crashed on October 13, 1994, after an in-flight engine failure. The aircraft landed at low speed into a barbed wire fence, which caused extensive skin, engine, and some structural damage, though there was no injury to the pilot, Barnaby Wainfan.[4] As of 2006, the aircraft has been partially repaired but not flown again.

Structure

[edit]

The Facetmobile structure is composed of 6061 aluminum tubing fastened with Cherrymax rivets. The fuselage uses conventional fabric covering. The aircraft uses elevons and rudders for control. The landing gear is a fixed tricycle type. The large windshield sections are augmented by two floor-mounted windows. The aircraft is boarded through a bottom-mounted hatch. The aircraft has a BRS parachute system installed.

Variants

[edit]

Wainfan has proposed two derivative aircraft based on the FMX-4 Facetmobile.

Specifications (Facetmobile FMX-4)

[edit]

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m)
  • Wingspan: 15 ft (4.6 m)
  • Wing area: 214 sq ft (19.9 m2)
  • Empty weight: 370 lb (168 kg)
  • Gross weight: 740 lb (336 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 10-13 gallons
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 DC , 50 hp (37 kW)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed GSC ground adjustable

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 96 kn (110 mph, 178 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 80 kn (92 mph, 150 km/h)
  • Rate of climb: 750 ft/min (3.8 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 3.45 lb/sq ft (16.8 kg/m2)

See also

[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Jack Cox (October 1994). "The Facetmobile". Sport Aviation.
  2. ^ a b NASA LARC NAG-1-03054 "Feasibility Study of the Low Aspect Ratio All All-Lifting Configuration as a Low-Cost Personal Aircraft", Barnaby Wainfan and Hans Neiubert, February 2004, accessed October 24, 2006
  3. ^ Incredible Facetmobile, accessed October 24, 2006
  4. ^ Wise, Jeff (January 2005). "The Daring Visionaries of Crackpot Aviation -- Barnaby Wainfan: Aero Ace Piecing it Together". Popular Science.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wainfan Facetmobile.
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