FK-Lightplanes SW51 Mustang
| SW51 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Ultralight aircraft |
| National origin | Poland |
| Manufacturer | FK-Lightplanes |
| First flight | October 2014 |
| Introduction | 2013 |
| Status | In production (2014) |
| Unit cost |
US$140,000 (2014) |
| Developed from | North American P-51 Mustang |
The FK-Lightplanes SW51 is a Polish ultralight and light-sport aircraft that was designed by ScaleWings of Strasswalchen, Austria and is produced by FK-Lightplanes of Krosno, introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2013. The aircraft was first flown in October 2014 and is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1][2]
The SW51 is a 70% replica of the North American P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft of the Second World War.[1][2]
Design and development
The aircraft features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats in tandem enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed or retractable conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The light-sport version for the US market will have fixed landing gear as that category requires.[1][2]
The aircraft is made from carbon fibre. Its 7.900 m (25.9 ft) span wing mounts flaps. The acceptable power range is 100 to 115 hp (75 to 86 kW) and the standard engines used are the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912S or 912iS and the turbocharged 115 hp (86 kW) Rotax 914 powerplant. The Mustang features electro-hydraulic retractable landing gear, hydraulic disc brakes on the main wheels, dual controls and electrically-operated flaps. The manufacturer has made the aircraft as similar to the original as possible, down to the simulated metal finish, rivets and other details. The SW51 also includes a sound system that provides a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine sound and a smoke generator for start-up smoke simulation.[1][2][3]
The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 288 kg (635 lb) and a gross weight of 472.5 kg (1,042 lb), giving a useful load of 184.5 kg (407 lb). With full fuel of 115 litres (25 imp gal; 30 US gal) the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is 102 kg (225 lb).[3]
Specifications (SW51)
Data from AVweb and the manufacturer[1][2][3]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 6.880 m (22 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 7.900 m (25 ft 11 in)
- Height: 1.970 m (6 ft 6 in)
- Empty weight: 288 kg (635 lb)
- Gross weight: 472.5 kg (1,042 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 115 litres (25 imp gal; 30 US gal)useable
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 four cylinder, air and liquid-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Duc Hélices carbon fiber CS fixed-pitch propeller or 4-blade variable-pitch propeller
Performance
- Cruising speed: 280 km/h (174 mph; 151 kn) at 75% power
- Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph; 35 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 370 km/h (230 mph; 200 kn)
- Range: 1,667 km; 1,036 mi (900 nmi)
- g limits: +8/-4 g (at 600 kg)