Murphy Elite

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title: "Murphy Elite" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["homebuilt-aircraft", "single-engined-tractor-aircraft", "murphy-aircraft", "high-wing-aircraft", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1996", "aircraft-with-fixed-tricycle-landing-gear", "single-engined-piston-aircraft"] description: "Canadian homebuilt light aircraft" topic_path: "arts/film" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy_Elite" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Canadian homebuilt light aircraft ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]

Field	Value
name	Elite
image	N645E Murphy Elite (10145628955).jpg
aircraft_type	Kit aircraft
national_origin	Canada
manufacturer	Murphy Aircraft
status	In production
number_built	25 (2011)
introduction	April 1996
developed_from	Murphy Rebel
::

| name = Elite | logo = | logo_size = | image = N645E Murphy Elite (10145628955).jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Kit aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = Canada | manufacturer = Murphy Aircraft | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 25 (2011) | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = April 1996 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = Murphy Rebel | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = The Murphy Elite is a Canadian light aircraft that was designed and is produced by Murphy Aircraft of Chilliwack, British Columbia. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction.

When it was introduced in April 1996 it was originally known as the Rebel Elite.

Design and development

The Elite was originally designed as a tricycle gear version of the Murphy Rebel, although it is now also offered with conventional landing gear as an option. It also incorporated some improvements over the Rebel, including a reinforced airframe, cantilever tailplane with a one-piece elevator, all-metal control surfaces, split configuration flaps, and upgraded wing attachment points and leading edges. This enabled the design to achieve a gross weight of 1800 lb, and to mount engines of up to 180 hp. The Elite features a strut-braced high-wing, three seats, tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.

The aircraft is made from aluminum sheet. Its 30.3 ft span wing is supported by single lift struts. The occupants are accommodated in an enclosed cabin of 44 in width, with doors for access and egress. With a standard empty weight of 1100 lb and a gross weight of 1800 lb, the Elite has a useful load of 700 lb. Acceptable power range is 115 to, and recommended engines include the 180 hp Lycoming O-360, 150 to Lycoming O-320 and the 115 hp Lycoming O-235.

Construction time from the factory kit is estimated at 1400 hours. The Elite can be operated on wheels, including tundra tires, skis and floats.

Specifications (Elite)

|ref=Kitplanes and company |prime units?=imp General characteristics

|genhide= |crew=one |capacity=two passengers |length m= |length ft=22 |length in=4 |length note= |span m= |span ft=30 |span in=4 |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=152 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil=modified NACA 4415 |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=1100 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=1800 |gross weight note= |fuel capacity=44 u.s.gal |more general= Powerplant

|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Lycoming O-360 |eng1 type=four cylinder, four-stroke, horizontally opposed aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=180 |prop blade number= |prop name= |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=

Performance

|perfhide= |max speed kmh= |max speed mph=145 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=132 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=42 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note=with full flaps |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=157 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |range km= |range miles=683 |range nmi= |range note= |endurance=5.2 hours |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits=+5.7/-3.8 (ultimate limit) |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1400 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft=11.8 |wing loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics=

|see also= |related=

• Murphy Rebel |similar aircraft= |lists=

References

References

1. Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 61. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
2. Patterson AeroSales. (2009). "Elite".
3. Downey, Julia: ''1999 Plans Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 16, Number 1, January 1999, page 58. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
4. Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 212. BAI Communications. {{ISBN. 0-9636409-4-1
5. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 112. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
6. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 118. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN. 1368-485X
7. Patterson AeroSales. (2007). "Murphy Elite Specifications".
8. Patterson AeroSales. (2007). "Murphy Elite Performance".

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