Sun, Nov 26, 2006
Complete A Sinus Or Virus Kit In 200 Hours Says
Pipistrel
Two capable kit
aircraft from Australian company Pipistrel are oddly-named, but are
now on the FAA's list of kits conforming to the 51% rule.
The significance of the 51% rule is a builder may apply for a
repairman's certificate without "proving" via FAA-specified logs
and other paperwork that he or she built the majority of the
aircraft him or herself. Pipistrel has proven to the FAA if the
builder follows the manual in assembling the components as supplied
he or she will have complied with the requirement.
A repairman's certificate allows the builder to perform and sign
off all maintenance -- including annual inspections. That can add
up to quite a savings over the life of the aircraft for an
enterprising individual!
Kit prices for the pair range from $57,000 to $77,000 depending
on the engine and other options. The company sells two versions for
each: a 200 hour kit and a 400 hour kit. As you probably guessed,
the 400 hour kits are cheaper because less work is done for the
builder at the factory.
Pipistrel markets the Sinus (pictured above) in a number of
configurations to suit any taste. Specs on the company's website
say the basic airframe has a 49 ft wingspan, cruises at 110 knots
burning 3.1 GPH with a Rotax 912 (a Rotax 503 is an option), has a
30:1 glide ratio and 7.5 hours endurance.
The Virus wings are 8 feet shorter giving it 10 knots more
cruise at the cost of glide ratio -- only 24:1 -- and a half-gallon
more fuel burned per hour.
Both aircraft are two-seaters sporting a full-feathering
propeller allowing the pilot to take advantage of all that wing.
Either can be had as a tail-dragger or trike. Motorgliding in
either should make for a fun day!
The pair are quite spiffy looking despite the odd names, and
both are also available for the less enterprising as a completed
aircraft.
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