Bilsam Sky Cruiser
| Sky Cruiser | |
|---|---|
| Role | Microlight, Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplane and light sport aircraft |
| National origin | Poland |
| Manufacturer | Bilsam Aviation |
| Introduction | early 2000s |
| Unit cost |
€29,999 (assembled, 2004) |
The Bilsam Sky Cruiser is a Polish microlight aircraft designed and produced by Bilsam Aviation of Poznań, introduced in the early 2000s. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft, as a kit and in the form of plans for amateur construction.[1]
The manufacturer's website is non-functional and has been so since about 2008, so it is not clear if the company is still in business.[2]
Design and development
The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). With a Rotax 912 ULS engine it is an accepted US light sport aircraft and also a Transport Canada accepted Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplane.[1][3][4]
Originally shown as a pusher configuration design in 2003, by 2004 the aircraft had been redesigned. In its production configuration the Sky Cruiser features a cantilever high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cabin with doors for access, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]
The aircraft is made from composite material. Its 9.0 m (29.5 ft) span wing mounts flaps and has a wing area of 10.35 m2 (111.4 sq ft). The standard engine used is the 100 hp (75 kW) Suzuki automotive conversion powerplant.[1]
The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 250 kg (550 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (990 lb), giving a useful load of 200 kg (440 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is 157 kg (346 lb).[1]
Operational history
In June 2015 one example was registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration and two in Canada registered with Transport Canada.[5][6]
Specifications (Sky Cruiser)
Data from Bertrand[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 10.35 m2 (111.4 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 7.82:1
- Empty weight: 250 kg (551 lb)
- Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Suzuki four cylinder, liquid-cooled, four stroke automotive engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed composite, ground adjustable
Performance
- Maximum speed: 240 km/h (149 mph; 130 kn)
- Cruising speed: 208 km/h (129 mph; 112 kn)
- Stall speed: 64 km/h (40 mph; 35 kn)
- Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 43.5 kg/m2 (8.9 lb/sq ft)
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 128. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- ↑ Internet Archive (23 April 2015). "Website archives". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (30 April 2015). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ↑ Transport Canada (21 May 2015). "Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (2 June 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ↑ Transport Canada (2 June 2015). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
