The Design
The Team Tango design team combines over fifty years in hands-on experience with composites. The key to our SIMPLY FAST build program is pure, elegant simplicity in design. The Tango Build-Center program adds customers to the mix. Many customers who build in our centers have built other aircraft. They include engineers, military and commercial pilots, scientists and manufacturers. If there is a better way to build a Tango, believe us, we will be the first hear about it.
The Tango 2 was preceded
by the TC-2 (below right).
Though from "the
last century", the design is still advanced. It had superior performance, doing
200 mph on 100 hp, but lacked comfort and space. 
For the kit built market the retractable
gear was recognized as a complexity without a sufficient return in either cruise
speed or weight. The design was modified to make it true 200 mph+ cross country
speedster that could be built in much less time than similar performance kit
built airplanes.
Aircraft Features
SAFETY
Team Tango has put much thought into making both the Tango 2
and Foxtrot 4 safe aircraft. The wing uses a constant chord, constant thickness
airfoil which gives it gentle, textbook stall characteristics. That is, wing
root first, ailerons last, with no built in twist required. 
The
stall itself is simple with distinctive aerodynamic warning
and little to no tendency to drop off. To recover, add some power and fly out
of the stall with minimal altitude loss. The powerful rudder can easily keep
the ball centered throughout the entire envelope. Differential ailerons counteract
adverse yaw during mild maneuvering, such as in the traffic pattern, greatly
reducing the chance of a low altitude stall/spin entry.
Both airplanes were designed to 6/-4 G's and have been successfully tested to 1.5 design limits. We test each wing and horizontal stabilizer spar to 6 G's before it leaves the factory.
The fuel system enhances safety in several ways. First, all of the fuel is carried in the wings. There is no fuel storage anywhere in the fuselage or engine compartment. This is comforting to know in case of a crash. Second, we use capacitance type fuel probes that run the entire length of the wing. This allows accurate fuel quantity readings from full right down to zero, a rarity in many airplanes. Total unusable fuel is less than a pint. The fuel selector is in plain view on the forward console and is easily accessible for switching from left to right. No confusion in stressful situations. Last, the large capacity tanks provide a generous reserve even after a four or five hour flight, which is enough for most pilots.
The relatively high power to weight ratio, or power loading, when compared to most certified airplanes also enhances safety by greatly improving takeoff performance at high density altitudes, and, by giving you, the pilot, the ability to easily climb above most of the foul weather that you find below ten thousand feet.
Team Tango uses only FAA approved foam core in the structures. It is more expensive, but compared to other popular foam cores it is the only one that does not create cyanide gas when exposed to flame, is self extinguishing and fuel -proof.
The Tango and Foxtrot both feature a dual gull wing canopy system which incorporates a reinforced roll bar. This provides the best combination of access and safety.
VERSATILITY
A good cross-country airplane should have speed, range, a good load capacity,
and not be too restricted in runway requirements. Few other airplanes can match
the Tango and Foxtrot in total capability. See the individual aircraft descriptions
for specific numbers, but note that as a minimum, both can cruise at 200+ mph,
have a range over 1400 sm, carry over 100 pounds of baggage, and operate off
a grass strip.
VISIBILITY AND COMFORT
To reduce drag, the Tango in particular has a sharply raked back windscreen
that may appear to restrict forward vision. In fact the fuselage sits level
in cruise flight which is three degrees lower than the ground attitude. The
good visibility over the nose is a pleasant surprise to many skeptics.
The molded fiberglass seats put the pilot and passenger in a semi-reclining position leaning back approximately 30 degrees. This is similar to the F-16 fighter and many high performance sailplanes. They are very comfortable on long flights. The Tango and Foxtrot are a spacious 44 and 46 inches wide, giving ample elbow room between you and your passenger.
OTHER FEATURES
We install various antennas into the fuselage during the layup process, when
it is easy. This saves time and several hundred dollars compared to buying them
from other vendors. The instrument panel is divided into three sections. This
allows easier installation and access for maintenance and upgrades.
Thanks
for visiting with us!
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