Photograph:
An early production AAK Wasp GT 19-5207 (W003) at the manufacturer’s facility at Taree, NSW (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912S four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.9 m (29 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 12.1 m² (130 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 167 km/h (104 mph)
- Cruising speed: 157 km/h (98 mph)
- Stalling speed no flaps: 52 km/h (32 mph)
- Stalling speed full flaps: 48 km/h (30 mph)
- Max rate of climb: 366 m/min (1,200 ft/min)
- Fuel capacity: 100 litres (22 Imp gals)
- Take-off run: 40 m (131 ft)
- Take-off run to clear 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 200 m (656 ft)
- Landing run to clear 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 200 m (656 ft)
- Endurance: 6.25 hours
- Range at 75% cruising speed: 531 km (330 miles)
- Empty weight: 290 kg (639 lb)
- Useful load: 182 kg (401 lb)
- Loaded weight: 544 kg (1,100 lb)
History:
The Wasp GT was designed by Ole Hartmann and introduced to the Australian Aircraft Kits range of amateur-built light aircraft early in the 21st century, the kits being available to purchasers from the Company’s facility at Laurieton, NSW. This model seated two side-by-side in a comfortable cabin and the aircraft was fitted with a tricycle undercarriage, had a 100 litre (22 Imp gals) fuel tank, and had a luggage compartment of 337 litres. It had a shoulder-mounted wing, was of all-metal construction and could be fitted with engines from the Rotax range in the 60 kw (80 hp) to 75 kw (100 hp) range, or other units such as the Jabiru 2200 and 3300. Control was via a conventional centre stick and the 6 x 6 wheels were fitted with differential disc brakes with dual calipers.
The prototype (c/n P0001) was completed in mid-2006, being shown for the first time to the aviation fraternity at the NATFLY event of the Australian Ultralight Federation, as it was then known, later Recreation Aircraft Australia, at Narromine, NSW at Easter that year.
Two variants have been produced, the Wasp GT and the Wasp Tourer, both fitted with the Rotax 912S engine. The Wasp GT was aimed at the training market whereas the Wasp Tourer was a shortened wing variant with wheel spats, providing greater endurance and a higher cruising speed. The aircraft was tailored for the RAA class of training, utility and touring work. It has been described as docile, predictable, easy handling aircraft with a strong undercarriage.