The AEA Explorer (sometimes called the Explorer Explorer) is a large single-engine utility aircraft designed by Aero Engineers Australia in Perth. The explorer is a single-engined strut-braced high-wing monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear that retracts into under-fuselage sponsons. The unique aircraft "crosses its legs" as it retracts the gear, the port wheel retacting into the sponson on the starboard side of the aircraft, and vice versa. The prototype, designated Explorer 350R first flew in 1998 and was soon exhibited on promotional tours of Australia and the United States. The Explorer is currently being offered in two versions – the turboprop-powered version, the 500T (which first flew in 2000), and a stretched version of the 500T, designated 750T. Explorer Aircraft was established in Jasper, Texas to market the aircraft for the US market.
