WLT Sparrow
| Sparrow ML | |
|---|---|
| Role | Tandem seat ultralight |
| National origin | Czech Republic |
| Manufacturer | Wolfsberg Letecká Továrna s.r.o. (WLT) |
| Designer | Alec N Clark |
| First flight | 24 August 2010 |
| Introduction | March 2013 |
| Number built | 6 by mid-2013 |
| Unit cost |
€75,000 plus tax (2013 |
The WLT Sparrow ML is a twin boom, pusher configuration ultralight seating two in tandem. Designed and built in the Czech Republic it is available with either dual control or rear passenger seat.
Design and development
The Sparrow is largely built from carbon fibre. Its wing has a short span rectangular section between the tail-booms and straight-tapered outer panels with angled tips. There are short ailerons with flaps between them and the twin slender booms. Each boom carries an angled, straight edged fin and rudder; the tailplane, with a one-piece elevator fitted with an offset trim tab, is mounted on top of the fins.[1]
The Sparrow's fuselage has a smooth profile partly defined by multipanel glazing that extends almost from the nose back beyond the wing leading edge. Access to both of the tandem seats is via a wide port-side door. The aircraft is normally flown from the front; the rear seat, placed over the leading edge, can also be provided with controls and instrumentation for an instructor (the Trainer version) or, as on the Clubman, be a passenger position. A 48 kW (64 hp) Rotax 582 two stroke, two cylinder, liquid-cooled, in-line engine with small cheek radiators is situated immediately behind the cabin in pusher configuration, driving a three-blade propeller just beyond the central trailing edge. A ballistic recovery parachute is an option. The Sparrow has a fixed tricycle undercarriage; all three wheels have speed fairings and the main wheels have faired legs under the wings, raked back from the forward ends of the booms.[1]
The Sparrow first flew on 24 August 2010. It achieved Czech certification on 1 March 2013 and by the summer of that year six had been built.[1] French certification was obtained in January 2014[2] and it appeared on public display for the first time at the Aero Friedrichshafen show of 2014. The display example is a later version powered by a 59.6 kW (80 hp) Rotax 912 ULS flat-four, air- and liquid-cooled engine.[1][3]
Variants
- Sparrow ML Clubman
- Controls and instruments for front seat only.
- Sparrow ML Trainer
- Dual controls and instruments. 12 kg (26 lb) heavier than the Clubman.
Specifications (Clubman)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2015/16[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 7.00 m (23 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 9.16 m (30 ft 1 in)
- Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 11.62 m2 (125.1 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 270 kg (595 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 40 kg (88 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 water-cooled two cylinder in-line, pusher configuration, 48 kW (64 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Woodcomp Klassic 170/3, 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) diameter composite,[4] with ground adjustable pitch
Performance
- Maximum speed: 180 km/h (112 mph; 97 kn)
- Cruising speed: 140 km/h (87 mph; 76 kn)
- Stall speed: 55 km/h (34 mph; 30 kn) flaps down
- Rate of climb: 4.2 m/s (830 ft/min) at sea level
- Take-off distance to clear 15 m (50 ft): 210 m (689 ft)
- Landing distance from 15 m (50 ft): 210 m (689 ft)
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Gunston, Bill (2015). Jane's All the World's Aircraft : development & production : 2015-16. IHS Global. p. 210. ISBN 978-0-7106-3135-0.
- ↑ "Sparrow Aircraft". Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ↑ "Aero Friedrichshafen". Air Britain World. 66 (2): 101. June 2014.
- ↑ "Woodkomp Klassic 170". Retrieved 14 June 2015.