| Looking around the commercial display area
I came across another new design to the U.S. recreational aviation
market the Aeroprackt A-22 from the Ukraine - now being distributed by
John Hunter of Spectrum Aircraft in Sebring Florida.
The plane on display had just been
released from customs and was not quite up and running at the time I did
the interview. John indicates that it is an all metal plane, with side
by side seating, which is strong but at a relatively light weight.
"While designed with pilot comfort
in mind it also features very good handling qualities." It is a
side by side seating two place with standard three axis control. The
control system uses pulleys and cables to activate the
ailerons and rudder. It uses a Yoke and rudder pedals for control and
has full span "flaps." This allows for take-offs and landings
in less than 300 feet, with a climb rate using the 912 engine of just
over 900 feet per minute, with cruise at between 90 and 100 mph. stall
with flaps comes in at below 35 mph.
The plane has been flying in the Ukraine
for just over 3 years now and is currently in the certification process
in Germany for the European market. While plans are to offer the A-22 as
a ready to fly craft under the sport plane category, once it has met the
European standard it initially will be supplied to the U.S. market under
the 51% rule and in Canada as both a basic and Advanced Ultralight.
According to John "the kit
basically consists of assembly of premanufactured components" with
the customer bolting and riveting the "parts" together.
"This should allow for build times in the 300 to 600 hour
range." "Tools required to finish the plane include a rivet
gun, compressor, and basic hand tools."
One other problem John is currently
dealing with is the building and assembly manuals. While they are done -
they are in Ukrainian - thus a fair amount of work will have to be done
to get them transferred over the English language.
John currently has a plane in stock and
plans are to work with the owner/builder to "quantify the build
times" and give some hand's on experience.
For more information contact
John Hunter
Spectrum Aircraft Corporation
PO Box 1381 Sebring FL 33871-1381 |
