Search Results for : Rotax electric

The company I’ve been writing a lot about lately keeps finding more things for me to talk about. When I was in Slovenia last month, Pipistrel‘s movers and shakers told me on the QT to be ready for a major announcement soon. *** And here it is: just officially announced this morning, introducing the Alpha Trainer, a purpose-built version of the company’s winning Virus SW (Short Wing) cruiser. Designed for the flight school market, it carries an introductory price that should raise a few eyebrows: $83,000 just about everything, including delivery, shipping to the US, FAA fees etc. *** Yep, I’d call that news. *** Rand Vollmer of SALSA Aviation, a U.S. Pipistrel dealer, tipped me off this morning about the official release. Pipistrel makes elegant, fun-flying, functional aircraft and the Alpha (200 were recently ordered by the Indian government) should prove to be no exception.

In the midst of a couple weeks away from home to marry off my firstborn daughter, I remain nonetheless able and willing to mine the LSA infoverse for newsworthy veins. *** Also, check out Aero Friedrichshafen going on right now in Germany. It’s one of Europe’s premier aviation events, with lots of new aircraft (like the Pipistrel Panthera 4-seat flying Ferrari) and technologies announced every year. Now, two items of interest: *** Flight Design Goes EASA *** The leading SLSA producer for the U.S. market, Flight Design, told everyone at Aero that the CTLS has earned the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) restricted type certification ((R) TC) for the two-seater.John Doman, Flight Design’s director of business development of global sales and marketing, said, “For European flight schools the certification will enable additional aircraft utilization leading to more revenue and value for their purchase of a Flight Design (R) TC aircraft.”  *** This type-certificated version of the CTLS will be distributed under the variant name CTLS-ELA and is nearly identical to the SLSA version already marketed worldwide.

Aero 2012 concluded and we present a final round of aircraft news to be followed by a wrap up view. All photos by Dave Unwin —DJ ||||
LSA SUPPLIERS & ENGINES
Garmin had a pretty big presence at the show. I spoke to Matt Harran who told me that the newest items Garmin had at Aero 2012 are improved VFR charting for the GPSMAP 795, which includes more specific data from Jeppesen, which can be uploaded onto the unit.
*** Along with the usual two and four-strokes there were some diesels, a hybrid and a couple of rotaries at Aero 2012. More esoterically, there were also some small jets and turboprops, and several electric motors.
••• An Italian company, MW Fly, also had three versions of its B22 on show; the 95 horsepower 22D, 115 horsepower 22L and 130 horsepower 22R. These geared, liquid-cooled flat-fours feature electronic ignition and injection.
••• Although not the usual ByDanJohnson content, Diamond’s DA-52 VII deserves a mention because the new aircraft generated a great deal of interest.

We begin coverage of the Aero 2012 event, brought to you each day that Dave’s Internet connection permits. All photos by Dave Unwin —DJ ||||
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Friedrichshafen Germany’s Aero show has grown in both size and popularity. Indeed, many feel it is easily the largest and most important general aviation show outside of North America. Unusually for most other GA shows, it also gives the style-conscious show-goer the unusual option of wearing Lederhosen. I must admit that as I read yet another doom-filled newspaper while waiting for my flight, I did wonder if perhaps this year’s event might be significantly smaller than it was in 2011. *** At first glance, I’d say that it was, although as I wandered around the display halls I was astonished at just how many new aircraft types were being displayed. I’ve always believed that recessions are often essentially “self-fulfilling” prophecies, generated mostly by negative coverage in the mass media.

As Aero 2012 moves toward a conclusion our wandering reporter updates you on several more attractive aircraft. All photos by Dave Unwin —DJ ||||
Having already decided that the Cicare Spirit was pretty minimalist as far as helicopters go, you may imagine my surprise when I saw an even more minimalist machine! This was the Hungarian Hungarocopter, which took helicopter minimalism to an entirely new level! Powered by either a 136- or 165-horsepower Subaru, and with a gross weight of 992 pounds, it definitely looked like flying it would be a bit of a thrill! *** As usual the show featured a fair few curiosities, and my interest was piqued when I spotted a machine that looked very much like a Cessna, with “Skylane” on the tail. As it quite clearly wasn’t a Skylane (being nowhere near big enough) I investigated further and discovered that it was a new-ish German ultralight powered by an 80-horsepower Rotax.

Tecnam North America is banking on what CEO Phil Solomon believes is a strong market interest in taildragger LSA. *** Tecnam is putting their R&D into attracting some of that market share with the revamped P92 tricycle gear S-LSA into a tail dragger version, and adding in some spice to boot: either a Lycoming YO-233-B2A or a Rotax 912/S2 powerplant is available to power it. *** The new version of the long-popular, well-proven P92 comes with a host of typical Tecnam quality features too, including a new wood-grain panel, adjustable seats, luggage compatrments, map and storage compartments on the door, epoxy corrosion proofing, lock/key entrance, tinted windows and lots more. *** Hydraulic toe brakes, electric flaps and lots more to join the electric trim and free castoring tail wheel. *** I’m hoping to fly it the week after the show, if some paperwork issues with the brand new plane get resolved.