Was this aircraft the star of MAX, the airshow? Maybe. "It drew a lot of attention," said a company representative, "a sleek taildragger single seater with a 912 up front." That it was accented with red inside and out helped, as proven by big auto companies that spend millions to advertise red cars when they want to catch your eye. (Updated 2/27/24: new images at bottom) Atec Solo 212 is the name of the airplane. It will not be their top seller but for plenty of pilots (me included) this was a charmer. Plus, let me spill the beans on its affordability. I don't know your budget but this beauty could be had, in America, for $100-110,000 reported RT Aviation partner Todd Livingston a couple weeks after MAX '24 concluded. That price won't work for everyone, I know, but it's half the cost of many "reasonably" priced SLSA in fall 2024. The Solo 212 seen at Max '24 is the one and only example in the USA but it is the designer's favorite of his several models. Could it be for you? If you must have a second seat to justify your purchase, don't worry. RT's two seater Atec 321 Faeta NG will arrive later in 2024. Of course, you'll pay more to have that second seat. One vendor drily observed, "It's a seat for your cell phone." Many pilots are aware that most two-seat LSA are flown solo almost all the time, so why pay for an extra seat? Some pilots will agree. To carry the weight of a second occupant, the whole airplane has to be made stronger and a bigger engine may be needed. Translation: it will cost more.

One Rare Bird

Solo drew a steady stream of viewers at MAX '24. No one had ever seen it here in the USA before. Indeed, this is the only one in the country. Todd described a lengthy effort to track it down and acquire it. The example at MAX '24 had only 25 hours on it when RT purchased it. Based in the Czech Republic, Atec is lead by Petr Volejník, company owner, general and production manager, designer, and test pilot. "Our special, maneuverable, and quite fast Atec 212 Solo is a non-certified, experimental single-seater airplane designed for experienced sports pilots," the factory states. "This small and enjoyable aircraft is a rarity of its category," they added, one the manufacturer claims can "bring an adrenaline satisfaction" to those excited by its performance. "This one can hit 140 knots," said Todd, though he described a few minor changes to keep it in the current LSA speed limit of 120 knots. With these changes it can be flown by a Sport Pilot using a drivers license in lieu of an aviation medical. "Solo 212 is a single-seater, cantilever low-wing aircraft of carbon composite construction," explained Atec. "A high volume of carbon together with honeycomb sandwich reinforcement provides a very low weight, but high structural strength. Its aerodynamically-pure design is derived from the well-proven Zephyr 2000. This exceptional airplane has no certification, therefore we offer it only in Experimental kit version." Built using a monocoque fuselage, Solo 212 is "made of carbon composite, reinforced with carbon bars and honeycomb sandwich bulkheads," said Atec. An 80-horsepower Rotax 912UL gives this single seater great power while using regular unleaded fuel (the 100-horsepower 912ULS or 912iS requires premium fuel at added expense). The panel can be equipped with a complete set of standard flight and engine monitoring instruments including modern flat screen avionics. Solo 212's upholstered pilot seat is supported by ergonomically-shaped PU foam. Solo's elevator is controlled by pushrods and can be electrically trimmed. The rudder is controlled by stainless steel wire cable.

Looking for Two Seats?

Already flying in Europe for some years, a new Faeta 321 NG will be seen at American airshows in 2025. The side-by-side tricycle-gear two seater is a true LSA with approval in the Special category. "Our full-carbon composite airplanes are each individually customized," said Atec. "Since 1992, when the factory was established, we have produced hundreds of airplanes being operated worldwide. We believe that all pilots enjoy Atec airplanes, appreciate their flight characteristics and low-cost operation." With 32 years on the market, more than 100,000 flight hours accumulated and more than 800 airplanes produced, Atec feels comfortable giving Faeta 321 a 10,000-hour operating lifetime. Introduced in 2016, the two-seat Atec 321 Faeta NG came from the earlier not-NG model (nearby images), which itself came from the Zephyr, Atec's first aircraft (1996-2003). Zephyr was updated to a Zephyr 2000 model from which evolved the Faeta 321 series. Faeta 321 can be equipped with a Rotax 912iS fuel-injected engine producing 100 horsepower or the carbureted Rotax 912ULS also producing 100 horsepower though the fuel-injected iS engine can achieved better fuel economy. Check with U.S. importer RT Aviation regarding price and availability of either Solo 212 or Faeta 321 NG.

SPECIFICATIONS Atec Solo 212 all information provided by RT Aviation; for aircraft in stock

• Wingspan — 24 feet 6 inches
• Length — 17 feet
• Height — 5 feet
• Wing Area — 78 square feet
• Tailspan — 7 feet 2 inches
• Minimum Empty Weight (Rotax 912ULS, central fuel tank) — 518 pounds
• Max. take-off weight — 827 pounds
• Fuel capacity (central tank) — 13 gallons
• Optional Fuel — 2 wing tanks at 9.25 gallons each, 18.5 gallons
• Powerplant — Rotax 912UL, 80 horsepower
• Cruising Speed — 140 knots (can be slowed for operation by Sport Pilots)
• Never exceed speed — 167 knots
• Stall speed (flaps extended) — 27 knots
• Stall speed (flaps retracted) — 38 knots
• Max. horizontal speed — 157 knots
• Rate of climb — 1,680 feet per minute
• Load Limit — +6 / -4 G
• Flight Range — 560 nautical miles
• Fuel consumption — 4.5 gallons per hour

The Atec line is represented by RT Aviation based at Hesler Noble Field (KLUL) in Laurel, Mississippi. Learn more about their aircraft and find their contact information on the RT Aviation website. RT Aviation is also the new importer for the Aero Pilot Legend 600 (pilot report on this website).