AEROMEDIA
The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)

The Mysterious MCX-01

In March 2011, at the Turin/Aeritalia airport, a graceful, grey painted, two-seater ultralight made its first appearance. It was the prototype (P1) of the new MCX-01, where the type designation seems to suggest that Commander Maurizio Cheli had taken a significant part in its design. In fact, the local aviation community was well aware that the former astronaut and test pilot was working on a new project regarding a high-performance ultralight.
The general layout of the MCX-01 shows its commonality of design with the tandem two-seat Millenium Master but on closer inspection, the new aircraft shows more differences than common features with respect to its predecessor.
No official data for the MCX-01 have been released to date, but the new aircraft is a clean-line, side-by-side two-seater mainly built in carbon-fibre. The tapered, high aspect ratio wing has two spars and is fitted with ailerons, flaps (Millenium Master had double-slotted flaps) and winglets.
The integral bubble canopy is hinged forwards via two moving curved clamps, making contact with the rear fixed window when closed. The conventional tail unit has a strong rearward sweep. The retracting tricycle landing gear has carbon-fibre, spring main struts and is operated by electro-hydraulic actuators. The overall dimensions and empty weights are unknown.
The prototype MCX-01 is powered by 115 hp Rotax 914 UL turbo engine driving a two-blade Alisport Idrovario HS variable pitch propeller. The Turin-based DigiSky company was responsible for the integration of the digital avionic suite.
After a number of ground tests, the first flight took place at noon on April 4, 2011, marking the start of the flight test programme. During the following weeks, the MCX-01 was fine-tuned and made a number of test flights, piloted by Maurizio Cheli, in the nearby Mount Musinč area, generally at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 ft. However, in early summer, for undisclosed reasons, the aircraft was moved elsewhere.

In the picture: MCX-01 prototype P1 - Experimental Identification Number I-X004 - lands at Turin/Aeritalia airport after an early test flight, in May, 2011. (Aeromedia)

(Aeromedia, November 2011)