Swan (green) is seen with a clean electric motor installation at Aero 2017. The white one from an earlier Aero has a gasoline engine. Puppies are optional.
In my views of Swan at previous Aero Friedrichshafen shows, the design caught my eye as it was (a) a single seater, (b) light enough to qualify as a Part 103 ultralight or its European equivalents, and (c) as it was an all-composite, nicely designed aircraft. Commonly, Part 103-capable designs are much more basic to remain within the tight limits. This statement also applies to the German 120-kilogram category or to Britain’s Single Seat DeRegulated (SSDR) description.
As Aero contributor and Powered Sport Flying publisher Roy Beisswenger and I frequently discuss, the most likely place for electric propulsion to work today is in ultralights. This is because in very light aircraft with more local flying missions, battery weights for a modest period of flying (30-60 minutes) is already achievable in the very lightest of powered aircraft. We have been discussing this with FAA for more than three years.
I was especially interested to see that Swan had a electric motor installation at Aero 2017 and it appeared as clean as their other aircraft displays have been.
SWAN is a single-seater ultralight aircraft created and manufactured by Modern Wings. Swan is made of light composite materials that allow it a refined and smooth shape compared to older ultralight entries. The company, lead by Radu Berceanu, was formed in 2007 “with the goal of producing high quality ultralight aircraft at low costs.”
Radu and Modern Wings offer several varieties of Swan. One is a version with 115 kilogram (253 pound) empty weight which meets the requirements of the USA Part 103 regulation and those of Great Britain’s sub-microlight SSDR regulation.
Another version with 120 kg empty weight meets the requirements of Germany’s regulation.
“We ruled out all configurations that can be problematical for an inexperienced pilot,” said Radu, to include a pusher engine and a tailwheel landing gear model.
Swan 120 — when a gasoline-powered aircraft — is a high-wing ultralight that weighs 240 pounds empty when equipped with a Polini 250 engine (the sort often used on larger powered paraglider).
The Romanian company displayed a standard Polini-equipped aircraft at Aero 2017, but also had a Geiger-equipped alternative. This was still as a prototype, Roy clarified.
“The installation of the electric motor was very clean, with the boom-mounted powerplant located right where the typical gasser engine would be,” observed Roy. “The battery installation on this one is better than on some designs, which pack the batteries into the existing engine compartment.” Instead, batteries for Swan were mounted under the passenger seat, which no doubt improves the center of gravity and stability of the aircraft. It would also seem safer in the event of a poor landing or other mishap.
“Swan was just one example of electric power being offered, or soon to be offered right next to gasoline-powered aircraft at Aero 2017,” concluded Roy. Learn more about Swan at Modern Wings. To have direct contact, email Andrei Berceanu.
The Swan electric is one of the nicest, cleanest, and most transportable combos I have found with good legs. Have tried making email contact with no luck. Really would like to purchase for US. Anyone have any luck contacting the company or person?
Hi Don: I will pay them another visit at Aero Friedrichshafen in a couple months and will advise them I have some requests for U.S. representation. You emailed them with no response?
Cannot find US distributors or current pricing for either model, anywhere online.
Hi Casey: So far as I know, no American has ever stepped up to represent this brand. Try contacting the factory directly but remember the time/geographic/cultural differences.
The Swan hasn’t been available for a few years. Modern Wings achieved the certification just about 2 Weeks before the Aero 2017. I know that at least three units are sold and one of them will be mine which will be delivered by end of July 2017. I will fly it in the german 120 kg class.
Enjoy your Swan! The German 120-kilogram class (very similar to USA’s Part 103) is a great program.
Looks very nice. Unfortunately it won’t make Part 103 in its present design because the cruising speed is 75 mph with the Hirth 28 hp engine, as I understand. Nonetheless, a nice looking plane.
Yes, perhaps, John. However, installing a finer prop pitch could exchange speedier cruise for faster climb, possibly keeping Swan within Part 103’s maximum 55 knot/63 mph speed limit. The clean exterior likely does let it slip through the air faster.
Hi dan
Ref swan 115 kg single seat with polini engine
Hope u are doing well. Question: finer prop pitch sounds like a solution to max 63 mph. Is it worth looking into. Thxs andy
I am not sure where you are going with this. The 63 mph (55 knot) speed is a regulatory limit (in the USA). Yes, it is often possible to keep such aircraft compliant with those government rules by adjusting the prop size and pitch.
How long before this craft will be available? when do you expect to send one to Canada?
The Swan with gasoline engine has been available in Europe for a few years. The electric-powered model is new and availability is not known. I suspect they can send to Canada now but you will need to contact the company for details. I am not aware of North American representation at this time.