The title of this article contains a lot of information. If you are a close observer of light aircraft, you may recognize B.O.T.’s Speed Cruiser but you didn’t get the rest right away, did you? Now Available? Journey? Aero Affinity? Neither did I know these references until Sun ‘n Fun 2022, but here is the story. I’ll get to Speed Cruiser, ‘er… Journey in a minute but first a bit about a new collaboration forming at the DeLand, Florida airport. You know the place, where the DeLand Showcase ran for five years. In case you missed the news, DeLand Showcase is no more. Director Jana Filip departed to join Sun ‘n Fun so the event she expertly ran will now give way to something new, from someone else. More on that later. Although the DeLand Showcase prematurely ended its five-year run, the DeLand Airport remains a beehive of recreational aviation activity.
Speed Cruiser from B.O.T. Aircraft Now Available as Journey from Aero Affinity
- Aero Adventure Aventura II (SLSA amphibious seaplane or kit versions)
- Magnus Fusion 212 (carbon fiber low wing, approved for aerobatic training)
- Montaer MC01 (generation 2 design, high wing, aluminum, roomy)
- B.O.T. Speed Cruiser, now Journey (cantilevered high wing, carbon fiber, wide cockpit)
B.O.T. Aircraft SC-01 Made in Liechtenstein
When B.O.T. formed in Liechtenstein (a tiny but wealthy country near Switzerland) they had specific goals for their design:- Fast with long range
- Suitable for beginners
- Large cabin and a good view
- Low-cost maintenance
B.O.T. Aircraft SC07 Speed Cruiser now rebadged as Journey in the USA TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS specifications are provided by Aero Affinity
- Wing Span — 33 feet
- Wing Area — 108 square feet
- Length — 21.8 feet
- Height — 6.25 feet
- Cabin Width — 49 inches
- Fuel Capacity — 26 gallons
- Empty Weight (in USA) — 715 pounds (with emergency airframe parachute)
- Takeoff Weight (in USA) — 1,320 pounds
- Engine (in USA) — Rotax 912 ULS2
- Power Output — 100 horsepower
- Never Exceed Speed — 155 miles per hour / 135 knots
- Cruise Speed (75% power) — 115 mph / 100 knots
- Stall Speed, max flaps — 45 miles per hour / 39 knots
- Rate of Climb — 980 feet per minute (with 0° flaps at 69 miles per hour at gross weight)
- Takeoff Roll — 500 feet
- Landing Rollout — 400 feet
- Range — 630 miles