The Paradigm of Efficiency

Today I will present two aircraft that are efficient examples of a new direction in the Kitplane/LSA marketplace.  With the insane trends in 100LL avgas pricing, and no clear solutions for a cost effective universal aviation fuel, the economics of aircraft operations are more important than ever.  Reading the various kitplane forums, it is not hard to find thread discussions which display the many concerns related to operational costs.  The fuel costs alone have become a significant factor for many builders and buyers in their Kitplane/LSA selection.  When the Kitplane/LSA community is looking at over $5.00 a gallon for 100LL avgas, it makes complete sense why there is a logical focus on aircraft efficiency.  The competition of efficient aircraft designs is a welcome direction in my opinion, and some of the brilliant efforts are definitely worth a detailed review.

Our first Paradigm of Efficiency is the Phoenix S-LSA Motorglider.  The all composite Phoenix can be considered a multi-role LSA aircraft, with designed versatility to perform multi-missions.  At first look, you can see the foundation of a glider design.  After additional review, you see the intelligent multi-role capabilities throughout the design. The smart 2 seat Phoenix is set up as a taildragger with quick adjustable wing sections (36 or 49 ft wing span options).  This is a 100 Hp Rotax 912 ULS powered LSA with a manual feathering Woodcomp Varia 1.6 prop.  Flight reports rave about the interior comfort and excellent flying characteristics - this is just a very exciting direction for LSA buyers.

To highlight the Phoenix LSA cross country efficiency let's take a look at some numbers - 36 ft wing span option - cruise 900 nm (approx 8 hours) at 118 knots at 5,000 rpm with 26 gallons total fuel (two 13 gal tanks).  For glider operations - 49 ft wing span option - 32:1 glide ratio, 20,000 ft service ceilings, and 1000 fpm powered climb dual (1200 fpm solo).

AVweb Video Review

Courchevel Dreams!

Reference Section -

Phoenix Air USA  -  http://www.phoenixairusa.com/Home_Page.php

The second Paradigm of Efficiency covered in this report is the Pipistrel Virus SW.  This is another all composite and extremely efficient design. The Pipistrel Virus (Vee-Roos) is actually a very fast airplane with bragging rights low fuel burn - 3.0 gph at 120 kts!  The VNE for the Virus is set at 163 kts with a turbulence penetration speed of 130 kts.  Build the Virus as an Experimental category aircraft and you have one heck of a cross country speedster (of course the LSA version is speed limited to 120 kts for max straight and level speed).  You can order a Virus with a 80 Hp or 100 Hp Rotax 912 engine and 3 blade in-flight adjustable prop (LSA version has the flight adjustable prop disabled to meet the category requirements).  Set power to 75% in the 100 Hp option and you can hit cruise speeds of 147 kts!

The Virus SW has up to a 7.5 hour endurance with 26 gallons total fuel (approx 765 to 890 nm range).  The standard empty weight is approx 635 lbs with 1320 lbs as the max structural weight - this leaves a total payload of more than 660 lbs.  Full fuel payload is listed at approx 497 lbs - more than adequate for two large pilots and some baggage.  A superb interior with Audi designed seating - how can you go wrong?  Class leading speed, extended range, and up to a 20,000 ft service ceiling, makes the Virus SW a champion of efficiency!

Aero TV Review

Pipistrel Business Story

Reference section -

Pipistrel Factory website - http://pipistrel.si/plane/virus-sw/overview

Pipistrel USA - http://pipistrel-usa.com

Just Aircraft Highlander - Dead Stick Ops!

High wing [check] STOL ready [check] Taildragger [check] Balloon tires [check] 3 bladed prop [check] ready to build kit [check] under $80 grand [check]

Just Aircraft Highlander ready for duty sir!

If your researching kitplanes with backcountry capability, the Just Aircraft Highlander is very hard to beat.  This rugged two seat kitplane was designed for those with a mission - up to 705 lbs Useful Load - extra large cargo area behind the adjustable seats - cabin area and seating that can accommodate pilot/passenger up to 6' 7" tall and 250 lbs - fold down flat cabin seats for in aircraft sleeping - this is the complete remote area Bush Plane!

The Highlander fuselage, tail, and landing gear, is fabricated from high quality 4130 chrome-moly steel.  The unique wing is designed with airfoil construction and has the capability to fold back in just a few minutes (no disconnecting of any controls or control surfaces needed). Also, the wing folding can be done solo and makes for efficient aircraft storage.

The common engine choice for the Highlander is a 100 hp Rotax 912 ULS, with some builders opting for Rotax 914 Turbocharged, Jabiru 3300, or UL Power 350 variants. Builders on forums mention cruise speeds in the 105 to 110 mph range, which are decent considering this is a kitplane targeted to the backcountry flyer.  You can buy the Highlander in ready to build kit form (factory estimated 700 hour build time) or completed as a ready to fly S-LSA. Take a look at all the details below and you will see why this is such an excellent backcountry aircraft.  

Just Aircraft Highlander Specs

Performance with the Rotax 912 ULS 100 hp @ 1320 lbs

VNE                                                           130 mph

Cruise                                                        110 mph

Stall w/flap @ 40 degrees                          27 mph

Stall clean                                                   32 mph

Take off roll                                                 300 ft

Take off distance to 50 ft                            800 ft

Ground roll                                                  300 ft

Landing distance from 50 ft                        1000 ft

Climb rate                                                    880 fpm

Highlander Weights and Loading

Gross weight                                                1320 lbs

Empty weight w/912 ULS                             615 - 750 lbs

Useful load                                                   up to 705 lbs

Don't miss this!  Watch the Highlander perform Dead Stick Ops in some serious backcountry action...hold on tight!

 

Just Aircraft factory grass strip...take a demo flight!

Reference section -

Just Aircraft factory site - www.justaircraft.com

Wild West Aircraft - www.wildwestaircraft.com

Van's Aircraft - Go aluminum and go often!

The year was 1973 when the first RV-3 was flown out to Oshkosh for the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in.  As of late 2011, there have been over 7,400 completed Van's Aircraft kits.  Van's Aircraft is by far one of the most well known and respected kit aircraft manufacturers in the world.   The Van's Aircraft designs have always been seen as the sportier side of the experimental aircraft community.  With solid aluminum construction and great overall performance, it is very easy to see why Van's has such an excellent following.  

Fly Kitplanes Blog has information below on the current range of Van's Aircraft available to the kitplane builder.  For those who want to build a very sporty 2 to 4 seat kitplane, with well established performance, then take a look through the Van's Aircraft range....I am sure you will find something you like!


First step is a quick factory tour -

A good look at the Van's Aircraft kit components -

Let's take a look at some of the Van's Aircraft choices -

RV-4

RV-7

RV-8

RV-10

RV-12

Main website for complete details on the entire line of available Van's Aircraft - www.vansaircraft.com

 

Now for some Van's Aircraft flying -

Check out this excellent forum of Van's builders and flyers - http://vansairforce.net/