Excitement surrounding Part 103 Ultralights continues. Considering what a nightmare of a year the entire world has experienced, many find it incredible that 103s are not only surviving, but thriving.
We still have such models as the popular CGS Hawk and Aerolite 103 that are gusseted-tube structures with Dacron wings; this remains a great choice for light aircraft.
However, we are also getting some advanced configurations. Examples reported recently here are the Aeromarine LSA Merlin Lite, Sector’s Spark, and Top Rudder’s Solo.
In this article, I look at another entry after a reminder from an alert reader …one on which I had previously reported. This one has been around a few years but never established any U.S. presence. That could change as 103 types continue their growth.
Small Airplane Specialist
Aeroplanes DAR
Airplanes Dar is a small innovative company with a long history that started in the previous century… on June 24th, 1917. “We are proud to say that we are older than Boeing,” boasted the company. “Our main activity is the production of light high quality single and two seat planes.”
Aeroplanes Dar’s main production facility is in Sofia, Bulgaria (a few hundred miles straight north of Athens, Greece). This location has advantages, the company believes. “We stay competitive in terms of prices [because in] Bulgaria taxes are the lowest in all of Europe.”
Although Aeroplanes DAR goes back more than 100 years, it changed dramatically in 1995 when a man named Tony Ilieff took over the company, making serial production a priority.
“Our target is mass production of single, two and four-seated ultra and light planes based on all-metal technology,” said Tony. “For this purpose we created a special sheet management technology in which all aluminum details are cut by laser and shaped by CNC machines.”
Aeroplanes DAR is not solely an aluminum-bending company. “In addition, we are working on the use of composites in our constructions as they provide us with certain advantages: weight, strength, and price.”
Family of Models
Tony’s first designs were very different than today’s models. As the current line emerged in 2008, it started with a two seater — the Duo — then a Part 103-compliant model weighing 115 kilograms (the U.S. Part 103 maximum), followed by a German 120-kilogram Class version as that category was established. Other countries also use similar systems aiding very light aircraft with a lower level of regulation.
A worker assembling Solo’s wing. See a three-view drawing from Aeroplanes Dar’s Facebook page.
Both single seat, single engine ultralight airplanes called “Solo” are assembled with mixed construction: aluminum wings and composite airframe. “New advanced technologies have been introduced and the result is a remarkable aircraft of extra low weight and good flight performance,” claims Aeroplanes Dar.
Using their Sheet Management software, assembling elements such as metal wings and tail surfaces “is easy; the subjective factor at work has been eliminated,” the company said.
Composite parts in both Solo models are made by carbon, aramid and fiberglass in molds under vacuum and controlled temperature. “Using this technique, the central (front-to-back) beam and vertical stabilizer has been combined in one. Main landing gear is fiberglass built with a new two-stage vacuum process.”
“Originally our Solo was designed to be sold as an airplane kit,” explained Tony. “That’s why airfoil and assembly have been specially chosen and modified to be easily handled by customers and can be assembled on a regular workshop table. The customer receives all-important parts ready for final assembly. These important features are required for a product that will be sold as kit set, intended for private manual assembly.”
With a two-seat Duo model, Aeroplanes Dar offers an ideal trainer although this model does not presently qualify as a Special LSA as needed for paid flight instruction.
Dar Solo ultralight airplane available in two main versions including one appearing to meet U.S. Part 103 specifications. See the specifications for this variety below.
An all-metal wing and composite fuselage elements give Solo a modern look.
Solo 115 (the choice for Americans as mentioned on their Facebook page) has a maximum takeoff weight of 540 pounds and an empty weight of 254 pounds. With flaps extended, stall makes Part 103 at 24 knots and cruise speed is also where it needs to be at 50 knots. Polini is the recommended engine choice although Airplanes Dar does support others and previously used Hirth F33. With a Polini, Solo offers a 400 foot per minute climb rate.
“This aircraft also meet other national regulations such as Russian 115, Korean, Brazilian, and others,” said Tony. Powered by Polini Thor 200 EVO (28 horsepower). A Galaxy GRS 240 rescue system is an available option; such systems are required in Germany.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
DAR Solo UL
- Wing Span — 31 feet
- Overall Length — 15.6 feet
- Overall Height — 8 feet
- Wing Area — 105 square feet
- Cabin Width — 24 inches
- Empty Weight — 254 pounds (267 pounds with airframe parachute)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight — 540 pounds
- Maximum Loading — +4/–2 G
- Fuel Tank Capacity — 3.3 U.S. gallons
- Take-off Ground Roll — 460 feet
- Rate of Climb — 400 feet per minute
- Cruise Speed — 50 knots
- Maximum speed — 57 knots
- Stall Speed (clean) — 27 knots
- Stall Speed (max flaps) — 24 knots
- Fuel Consumption at Cruise — 1.7 gallons per hour
- Range — 70 nautical miles
- Engine — Polini Thor 250
Aeroplanes DAR presently has no supplier in the USA, but a Canadian dealer sells Solo UL for the present-day equivalent of $18,900 in ready-to-fly form. Of course, this is subject to change but that will strike many potential buyers as a good price. Given the appeal of Tony Ilieff’s designs, a U.S. importer seems inevitable.
I was considering the purchase of a new quicksilver sprint with the Aero 1000 engine. That would cost me over $25,000 dollars. If this aircraft is near $20,000, it’s a much better deal. The quicksilver fuselage alone cost $13,750 with out an engine.
And hasn’t changed looks since 1983, the only change is the cost.
Introducing myself deaf pilot. Please send details of the light aircraft [with the] brilliant range of 70 miles
Edward Dixon.
24, Recreation Road,
Longford Village,
COVENTRY,
CV67AW,
United Kingdom
Please contact the manufacturer directly for the best information. Links were provided in the article.
[In the interest of full disclosure, I am approving the following post. I have no reason to doubt this report but I lack direct knowledge about the incident described. As with all information, buyer beware — both of any purchase and any user report(s) regarding an aircraft, engine, or other flight gear. —DJ]
Dan,
The aircraft in your article above does look the part and will no doubt generate interest by possible customers. However the USA company involved has published a damning report that you might well consider this Facebook page. I have no commercial aviation interests so I am not looking to gain anything other than to know that the design is made safe. At a rating of +4 G there is little margin for any errors in construction. Removal of the flaps may have reduced the possibility of in flight failure but if the dealer’s report is accurate the composite structure also has problems. Your videos are always of interest but please show the aircraft warts and all, if they need highlighting. Thanks, Tony Prentice
Hi Dan, happy new year.
Does the DAR have folding wings?
Yes, a folding wing option is available as well as a trailer.
Can you send me a brochure? Thanks!
Please use links in the article to send your message directly to the company.
I can send you some info if you contact me via email.
Thanks
Moc krásné a jaká je cena???
[computer translation: Very beautiful and what is the price?]
Price was referenced in the article at less than $20,000 when sold by a Canadian dealer but by all means inquire with the manufacturer for your country. Equipment offered at that price is unknown.
[počítačový překlad:] Cena uvedená v článku byla nižší než 20 000 USD, pokud byla prodána kanadským prodejcem, ale v každém případě se informujte u výrobce pro vaši zemi. Zařízení nabízené za tuto cenu není známo.
Any dealers in Australia yet?
Please use links within the article to contact the company directly about dealerships in Australia.
Thanks, Dan. Do you have a list of all these new planes with a small bio and locations.
My main (desired) feature really needs to be a folding wing… one man folding wing like Kolb.
Solo does offer a folding wing option and a trailer.
Yes, I am building the Part 103 List that will have much of what you asked for (other than the “small bio”). I will provide links to all articles I have written about any of these airplanes, which is most of them, but I may not have every detail spelled out about every airplane.