At Aero Friedrichshafen 2023, visitors saw numerous aircraft that could qualify as Mosaic Light-Sport Aircraft or mLSA. In nearly every aisle of the several large halls of Aero, visitors and journalists could see entry after entry apparently made-for-Mosaic. Indeed, so many entries potentially qualify for this coming new segment that I ran out of time to examine all of them. We are headed into an interesting period of aircraft development and the subject of this article is a perfect example. Welcome to TL Ultralight’s enhanced Sparker. The model was introduced to the European 600 kilogram (1,320 pound) standard but over the last year it has gone through an extensive evaluation and upgrade to carry a 750 kilogram load (1,653 pounds). It was also revised to accommodate Rotax’s 915iS and 916iS engines. With greater capacity and with 160 horsepower available, I’d call this a mLSA or Mosaic-ready Light-Sport Aircraft.
Sparker to Ignite Mosaic’s Energy? New and Upgraded mLSA from TL Ultralight
Sparker = mLSA
You already know Czech producer TL Ultralight. The European company dates to 1989 as the Berlin Wall fell. By 1991, TL-Ultralight began series production of a two-seat light aircraft that vaguely resembled a Rans S-6. TL 32 Typhoon was the first airplane to carry the TL trademark. By 1996 TL 96 Star was born as an all-composite low-wing monoplane.TL Sport Aircraft's line includes Sting (L) and Sirius (C) plus the Stream.
Sparker is fitted with three 10-inch Garmin G3X displays, Garmin GMC 507 autopilot, Garmin 245R ADSB in and out, Garmin radios, and an option for IFR flight with the Garmin GTN 650 avionics package. Dual side joysticks have various button controls.
What to Expect in mLSA Prices
You surely realize that with a 175-knot cruise speed, a 160-horsepower modern computer-controlled engine, not one or two but three large Garmin G3X instruments, a Stratos emergency airframe parachute, and a luxurious interior — all this will not come cheap. Here's another sure to exceed the $300,000 mark.TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS TL Ultralight Sparker all specifications provided by the factory
- Length — 21.75 feet
- Height — 8.4 feet
- Wing Span — 29.5 feet
- Wing Area — 107 square feet
- Horizontal Tail Width — 9.7 feet
- Cabin Width — 49.2 inches
- Empty Weight (depending on options)* — 772 pounds
- Maximum Takeoff Weight** — 1,320 pounds
- Maximum Crew Weight — 440 pounds
- Maximum Luggage Capacity — 55 pounds
- Luggage Compartment Volume — 24 cubic feet
- Never-Exceed Speed — 181 knots
- Typical Cruise — 165-175 knots, per U.S. representative***
- Minimum Speed — 45 knots
- Climb Rate (at gross weight)* — 1,200 feet per minute (2,000 fpm with 915iS)
- Fuel Consumption (75% power)* — 4.25 gallons per hour (7 gph with 915iS)
- Fuel Capacity — 24 to 34 gallons
- Range — 869 statute miles
- Engines**** — Rotax 912ULS, 915iS, and 916iS
- Propeller — three-blade PowerMax
- Landing Gear — Hydraulic retractable landing gear; trailing link main gear
* Factory figure based on Rotax 912 ULS; more powerful engines are available ** TL Ultralight has increased MTOW to 1,653 pounds (750 kilograms) *** U.S. representative cruise speed based on Rotax 915iS **** TurboTech turbine powerplant (160 horsepower) is in development
ARTICE LINKS:
- TL Ultralight, Czech factory website
- TL Sport Aircraft, U.S. importer website
- TL Ultralight aircraft, articles on this website
NEW & OLD — Sparker compared to a somewhat similar Piper legacy model. While the Piper has four seats, Sparker is retractable and much faster.