Sapphire Aircraft Australia Sapphire LSA
Sapphire LSA | |
---|---|
Role | Ultralight aircraft |
National origin | Australia |
Manufacturer | |
Introduction | late 1980s |
Status | Production completed (2012) |
The Sapphire Aircraft Australia Sapphire LSA is an Australian ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by . It was introduced in the late 1980s and still in production as recently as 2010, but now out of production. The Sapphire was supplied as complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1][2]
Design and development[]
The Sapphire complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit with a bubble canopy or, optionally, an open cockpit with a windshield, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1][2]
The aircraft is made from fibreglass, epoxy resin and extruded foam. Its 8.84 m (29.0 ft) span wing has an area of 9.132 m2 (98.30 sq ft). The standard engine fitted is the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 two-stroke powerplant.[1][2]
In the early 2010s period a two-seat version and a motorglider variant were being developed.[1][2]
Specifications (Sapphire LSA)[]
Data from Bayerl[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 8.84 m (29 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 9.132 m2 (98.30 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 210 kg (463 lb)
- Gross weight: 360 kg (794 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 58 litres (13 imp gal; 15 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 37 kW (50 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed wooden
Performance
- Maximum speed: 181 km/h (112 mph, 98 kn)
- Cruise speed: 165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn)
- Stall speed: 38 km/h (24 mph, 21 kn)
- Rate of climb: 5.8 m/s (1,140 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 39.4 kg/m2 (8.1 lb/sq ft)
References[]
External links[]
- Former location of company website[permanent dead link]
- Photo of the Sapphire LSA on Airliners.net
- Official company video
- 1980s Australian ultralight aircraft
- Single-engined pusher aircraft