When I look at Dingo from Future Vehicles, I see a fascinating blend of designs combining the looks of Aviad’s Zigolo Mg21 and Mike Loehle’s former Easy Riser. Yet Dingo isn’t some mashup of old designs. It’s been created by experienced engineers building with conventional construction but to Part 103 parameters. Biplanes convey a vintage look but they also make for good hangar mates since their wingspan is usually shorter. Dingo is surprisingly compact with wings not even 22 feet wide. Biplanes also fly slowly so complying with Part 103 speeds is not difficult. Let’s learn more about this new entry from design engineer Marek Ivanov, a name alert readers may associate with a completely different design called Song (image below). Marek does engineering work for other aircraft producers as well. He leads “a team of experienced professionals with more than 20 years of experience in the aviation industry; they have participated in the development of more than 30 types of aircraft from ultralights to Part 23 (GA) aircraft.” Maiden Flight of Dingo On June 22nd 2022, Dingo took its maiden flight flown by test pilot Jan Jílek at the Jaroměř airport (LKJA).
Maiden Flight of Dingo — An Affordable Part 103 Biplane Honoring Hovey’s Whing Ding
Maiden Flight of Dingo
On June 22nd 2022, Dingo took its maiden flight flown by test pilot Jan Jílek at the Jaroměř airport (LKJA). Future Vehicles is based in Hradec Kralove, a city in the Czech Republic 70 miles to the east of the internationally famous city of Prague. With a sport aviation focus, Jaroměř airport is also home to TL Ultralight, maker of the Sting, Sirius, and Stream LSA.Describing Dingo
Dingo is a pusher with conventional (tail wheel) gear, a biplane design with a positive-stagger wing. It is built with an all-aircraft aluminium, pop-riveted structure and it is covered with Stits Polyfiber-type covering. The pilot sits atop a rigid, structured keel in a molded fiberglass seat with a four-point pilot harness.Part 103 Ultralight Vehicles and Powered Paraglider Engines
Fixed wing aircraft and powered paragliders developed in different worlds. The designers are different. The wing construction couldn't be more dissimilar. One uses an undercarriage while in the other you are the undercarriage. How could such discrete aerial cultures get together? If you are going to carry your powerplant on your back, it had better be light. Yet it needs enough power and it shouldn't be any louder than necessary since the pilot is so close to it. A few brands from Europe have risen to this need, including Polini, Vitorazzi, and others. Until recently, almost none of these were used on fixed wings but that has changed.Future Vehicles Dingo SS UL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS figures supplied by Future Vehicles
- Wing Span — 21.6 feet / 6,57 meters
- Wing Area — 135 square feet / 12,55 square meters
- Length — 14.6 feet / 4,45 meters
- HT Span — 7.4 ft / 2,25 meters
- HT Area — 18.1 square feet / 1,68 square meters
- Empty Weight — 209 pounds / 95 kilograms
- Maximum Takeoff Weight — 485 pounds / 220 kilograms
- Fuel Capacity — 2.6 U.S. gallons / 10 liters
- Average Fuel Consumption — 1.3 gallons per hour / 5 liters per hour
- Limit Loads — +4 G / –2 G
- Never Exceed Speed — 54 knots / 100 kilometers per hour
- Max Level Speed — 38 knots / 70 kilometers per hour
- Cruise Speed — 32 knots / 60 kilometers per hour
- Stall speed — 22 knots / 40 kilometers per hour
- Powerplant — Vittorazi Moster 185 with manual start
- Displacement — 185 cubic centimeters
- Power — 25 horsepower @ 7800 RPM
LINKS
Another of Marek Ivanov's designs, this one named Song. American pilots first saw this aircraft with electric power as Electric Aircraft Corporation's ULS.