The Golden Hawk traces its lineage to the American Aerolights Falcon of 1983. After Falcon production ended, three companies produced versions of the design. Team Falcon restarted production in 1998 with their Falcon 2000, Falcon East produced one with their Peregrine Falcon and Falconar Avia produced one and termed their version of the design the Golden Hawk.[1][2]
The design has a composite fuselage and strut-braced wings made from aluminium and covered in doped aircraft fabric. The tip rudders and canard are also fabric-covered. The main landing gear is equipped with hydraulic disk brakes. The aircraft can be disassembled in ten minutes for ground transportation on a trailer or for storage.[1][2][3]
The canard surface controls pitch, while roll is via conventional ailerons. Yaw is controlled with wing-tip rudders. The aircraft is advertised as spin-proof.[1][2]
The Golden Hawk has been well received. Reviewer Andre Cliche described it as "a fantastic-looking aircraft that has no equal to stimulate the public's interest. Because of its futuristic looks Hollywood has used it several times in movies."[1]
Variants
American Aerolights Falcon XP, showing engine and wingletsAmerican Aerolights Falcon XP in the United Kingdom.
American Aerolights Falcon
Initial production version, introduced in 1983. Production ended by about 1984.[1]
Team Falcon Falcon 2000
Improved production version introduced in 1998. Features longer landing gear to accommodate a large diameter propeller.[1]