Allegro 2007 Undergoing Tests Now

Aero-News has learned some big changes are coming to the Fantasy Air Allegro 2000 sport plane, which is sold as a light-sport aircraft in the United States. In fact... it's almost an entirely new airplane.

The new Allegro 2007 -- which is now undergoing flight tests in the Czech Republic -- features a wider fuselage (by 100 millimeters) to give the pilot and passenger more elbow room... more, in fact, than a Cessna 172. The redesigned fuselage also sports a higher cabin height, for added headroom.

According to the company, pilots over six feet tall will now find themselves with far more comfortable accomodations than before -- the result of a 80 mm higher wing, and newly standard in-flight adjustable seats. The door openings are also taller, with gas struts now supporting the doors.

The rear fuselage and vertical stabilizer have also been redesigned, with approximately 50 percent greater surface area to the latter. Standard fuel capacity has increased to over 16 gallons US due to the wider fuselage... and optional wing tanks add an extra five gallons per side.

If that sounds like the Allegro 2007 is a totally new airplane... well, you're not very far off. But the new model is still instantly recognizable as an Allegro.

Fantasy Air says the new model is the direct result of feedback it received from current Allegro 2000 owners, as well as flight schools that have the aircraft in their fleets.

The company expects the new plane to be certified to a full 600 kg maximum takeoff weight -- right in line with the 1,320-lb MTOW requirement for light sport aircraft in the US.

Alas, the new plane will likely cost more -- the result of the design changes, as well as higher prices for composites and the Rotax 912 powerplant.

FMI: www.fantasyairUSA.com