Taurus M (Legacy)

Taurus M is the World’s first side-by-side ultralight powered glider! It offers complete freedom and independence thanks to the retractable engine, double retractable main landing gear, excellent gliding performance, inexpensive maintenance and a well ventilated spacious cockpit.

Taurus M is the only two-seat glider with a 15-meter wing-span and it is also the most independent in operation. Equipped with a powerful, yet fully retractable high-performance 50 HP fuel engine and double retractable main undercarriage, the Taurus can go gliding wherever and whenever you want. When others will be waiting for a helper to connect the tow rope and hold the wingtip for take-off, you will already be far away and flying for hours in the Taurus M.
Worth noting is also the ease of assembling the glider. Taurus is the easiest 2-seat glider to assemble, due to its automatic control connections and the fact that one wing only weighs 40 kg (90 lbs).

Powerful take-off and climb

From take-off to 500 m (1650 ft) she only needs 3 minutes, 6 minutes to 1000 m (3300 ft) and 10 minutes to 1500 m (5000 ft). Then, reaching target altitude you shut down and retract the engine at a flick of a switch - literally. It may seem unspectacular but Taurus outperforms even single-seat self launching gliders when it comes to take-off and climb!

Gliding performance

Gliding takes on a new meaning when you start taking advantage of the excellent 1:41 glide ratio coupled with 5 flaperon settings and head to your next waypoint… Flying is much more fun in the side-by-side cockpit arrangement where you can easily share tasks with your copilot, conduct lessons or simply small talk with your friend.

Klaus Ohlmann, multiple gliding World Record holder, speaks about Taurus:

"Taurus has some great advantages, which originate from the ultralight world:

• the glider has enough space in the cockpit for two very large pilots
• side-by-side seating arrangement is a real reward in comparison to the tandem-seating. Flying the Taurus is a lot more fun.
• the ballistic total-rescue system is huge advantage when compared to conventional motorgliders
• taxi with the double-wheel undercarriage is a luxury, especially for training flights
• the overall quality and finish is surprisingly good
• it has self fitting connections for all flight controls - big plus !
• although being an ultralight, the glider feels like a real glider
• Taurus will definitely convince some of the ultralight pilots to start gliding
• the price is about 50% of what you would pay for another self-launching two-seat glider.

I am positive that the Taurus will be a success story in the world of Gliding!"

Safety

Safety is our primary concern. This is why Taurus features the Safety Cockpit Concept. The entire cabin area is encased with energy absorbing structures made from Kevlar fibre, an amazing material which maintains the integrity of the cabin and makes it safe also in case of stronger impacts. Together with our special Safety Cockpit Concept the Taurus can also be equipped with the ballistic parachute rescue system, which saves the complete aircraft together with the crew in case of severe emergencies.

Intelligent engine control system

The intelligent engine control system will do everything by itself, making sure the propeller has positioned itself correctly and retracting the engine for you, while you concentrate on finding that perfect lift! Built-in safety will even prevent inadvertent start-up or retractions of the engine!

A vroom with a view

The cockpit of the Taurus is very long and comfortable. Even the really tall pilots will have no problems fitting inside. Side-by-side seating arrangement makes communication between the pilots perfect, unlike conventional tandem two-seaters. Full dual controls are reachable to both pilots and the pedals, seats, headrest and ventilation can be adjusted to suit your body size and needs in just seconds, also during flight. A special ergonomically shaped instrument panel houses all the instruments you will ever want without obstructing the excellent view in all directions. There are side pockets for each pilot and a roomy baggage compartment behind the seats with space for an oxygen system as well.

Electric powered

Have you ever wondered what is it like to fly all electric? Virtually silent and vibriation free? With no emissions whatsoever and for the fraction of the the usual cost? Now you can! The Taurus Electro G2 is exactly the answer you are looking for !

Taurus M technical data

model	TAURUS
ENGINE	High performance 2-stroke 50 HP
max power (with 2 carb.)	53 hp at 6600 rpm
PROPELLER	2 blade Pipistrel 1600 mm diam
SIZES
wing span	14.97 m
length	7.27 m
height	1.41 m
wing area	12.33 m2
rudder area	0.9 m2
horizontal tail area	1.36 m2
aspect ratio	18.6
positive flaps	5 deg, 9 deg, 18 deg
negative flaps	-5 deg
center of gravity	23% - 41%
WEIGHTS
empty weight	285 kg
minimum pilot weight	60 kg
maximum total pilots weight	220 kg
max take off weight (MTOW)	450 kg / 472.5 kg
fuel tank capacity in the wing	30 l
useful fuel	27 l
PERFORMANCES
stall with flaps	63 km/h
stall without flaps	71 km/h
manoeuvring speed	163 km/h
max. speed with flaps extended	130 km/h
max. speed with airbrakes extended	225 km/h (extend at or below 160 km/h)
max. speed with powerplant extended	160 km/h
VNE	225 km/h
min.sink	0.70 m/sec
min.sink speed	94 km/h
max. sink with airbrakes	6.0 m/sec @ 100 km/h
best glide	1: 41
best glide ratio speed	107 km/h
best glide at 150 km/h	1: 33
best glide at 180 km/h	1: 23
max towing speed	150 km/h
45°-45° roll time	3.9 sec
take off run MTOW	180 m
take off over 15 m MTOW	265 m
cruising speed with 75% power	120 km/h
best climb speed	100 km/h
max climb rate (MTOW)	2.9 m/sec
service ceiling MTOW	3,900 m
max load factor permitted (x1,8)	+5.3g -2.65g
max load factor tested	+ 7.2g - 7.2g
fuel consum. at full power	18 lph

Taurus is made in highest technology composites (epoxy resin, glass fibre, carbon fibre, kevlar fibre and honeycomb structures). The airfoil used on wings is ORL 170, (F. Orlando).

Pipistrel reserves the right to revise the above data whenever occasioned by product improvement, government/authority regulations or other good cause.
The design basis follow the strictest EASA CS-22, CS-VLA and CS-23 (sections), as well as rules applicable to ultralight/microlight aircraft (LTF-UL 2003, etc.) and ASTM-LSA standards.
Ultralight/Microlight certification basis varies from country to country, therefore the actual certificated data may be different from stated above. Please check the certifications link.