Photograph:
Aeroprakt A-22LS Kelpie 23-8793 (c/n A22LS-275) at Avalon, VIC in March 2017 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
The Ukraine
Description:
Two-seat light mustering and farm aircraft
Power Plant:
One 80 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912ULS four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Length: 6.23 m (20 ft 5 in)
- Height: 2.48 m (8 ft 2 in)
- Never exceed speed: 222 km/h (138 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 176 km/h (109 mph)
- Stalling speed: 52 km/h (32 mph)
- Take-off roll: 80 m (262 ft)
- Take-off to 15 m (50 ft): 230 m (756 ft)
- Landing roll: 75 m (246 ft)
- Landing from: 15 m (50 ft) 300 m (984 ft)
- Flap speed limit: 154 km/h (96 mph)
- Manoeuvring speed: 167 km/h (104 mph)
- Max rate of climb at 106 km/h (66 mph): 396 m/min (1,300 ft/min)
- Fuel capacity: 114 litres (25 Imp gals)
- Endurance: 5½ hours plus reserve
- G-limits at 650 kg (1,433 lb): +6/-3G
- Empty weight: 310 kg (683 lb)
- Useful load: 205 kg (452 lb)
- Loaded weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)
History:
The Kelpie was a development of the Foxbat and Vixen series produced in The Ukraine to meet the requirements of outback properties in Australia and around the world. It used the same basic platform with the Rotax 912ULS dual electronic ignition but was fitted with a Series 283 KievProp to increase take-off and climb performance. It was also fitted with 8.00 x 6 Tundra tyres for operation from paddocks. Other changes included mud flaps to reduce the amount of mud and dirt hitting the wings and tail; a larger 30 kg (66 lb) metal luggage container with its own exterior door to permit egress for tools and equipment; an Australian Warning Systems 100 watt siren with ‘yelp’ and ‘wail’ settings; clear protective tape on the front of the main undercarriage legs and oversize tyres; a stabiliser leading-edge to permit quicker inspections before flight; and the deletion of the wing strut fairings.
The first example imported by the Australian distributor, Aeroprakt Australia, was demonstrated at the Ozkosh 2016 event at Narromine, NSW in November 2016 before being delivered to its owner in far north Queensland. This aircraft became 23-8792 and was followed by further examples. At the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC in March 2017 an example was noted fitted with a seed hopper to the right-hand side of the cabin and a spreader under the fuselage. When operated as an RAA aircraft it can carry up to 210 kg (463 lb) including the pilot.