Eastern European designers deliver nimble machines UPDATE–November 2008: According to FPNA, an American company with a business relationship to A-20 producer Aeroprakt, the A-20 has been discontinued. Please contact FPNA for more information (contact info at end of article). As the new millennium got underway, visitors to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2000 examined a new aircraft from a Ukrainian company called Aeroprakt Ltd. Named the A-22 Valor, the unique side-by-side two-seat aircraft had a distinctive cabin largely covered in clear plastic. It was displayed by John Hunter and his company, Spectrum Aircraft. The Valor has turned out to be only the first in a fleet of light aircraft that have materialized before American eyes. In 2001, another Aeroprakt model appeared on Spectrum’s display space-the A-20 Vista Cruiser, one of a series of A-20 models. John Hunter became well known in the light plane world while working for Phil Lockwood, designer of the much-admired Air Cam.
The Vista A-20 Cruiser & Varlet
The Vista Cruiser is one of the most enjoyable machines I've flown in a long career of sampling numerous light flying machines.
The Vista Cruiser's sailplane feel comes partly because you sit several feet out in front of the wing.
While the Vista Cruiser looks like a more traditional airplane, it's flight characteristics can match those of a modern ultralight with good low and slow speed handling, while still offering a pleasant 115 mph cruise. The Ukrainian-designed aircraft features a fiberglass fuselage, metal wing with fabric-covered flaperons, composite landing gear, and all-metal tail with the exception of the fabric-covered elevator. The fully enclosed canopy can be replaced by a windscreen for warm-weather, open-cockpit flying.
The Vista Cruiser we flew for this flight report was powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912S engine; however, the various Vista models will fly well with engines from 50 to 100 hp. The nicely cowled engine gives a sleek and clean look to the aircraft and helps provide less disturbed air to the propeller.
The wide composite landing gear offers good, stable handling characteristics.
With both occupants seated well forward of the wing, the Vista Cruiser offers the feel of a sailplane. A step on the side of the fuselage facilitates entry and exit from the cockpit. Note the cap at the back of the canopy, which provides sun shielding for the pilot and passenger's heads.
While the instrument panel area isn't expansive, it offers plenty of room for required instruments. The use of a digital engine instrumentation system helps keep the panel clean.
John Hunter welcomes visitors to Spectrum Aircraft's offices on Sebring Airport in Sebring, Florida.
Inside the Aeroprakt Ltd factory. One work area houses all the equipment needed for composite work-note the oven at the rear of the room.
The company's engineers, many of whom previously worked at the Soviet Antonov factory, are located in the office area.
Seating | 2-place, front and back |
Empty weight | 535/515 pounds |
Gross weight | 1,000/1,000 |
Wingspan | 33.4/31 feet |
Wing area | 151/140 square feet |
Wing loading | 6.6/7.1 pounds per square foot |
Length | 22/22 feet |
Height | 5.9/5.9 feet |
Kit type | Quick-build available |
Standard engine | Rotax 912S/Rotax912S |
Power | 100 hp/100 hp |
Power loading | 10.0/10.0 pounds per hp |
Max Speed | 115/132 mph |
Never exceed speed | 143/180 mph |
Rate of climb at gross | 1,200/1,400 fpm |
Takeoff distance at gross | 200/280 feet |
Landing distance at gross | 250/300 feet |