Photograph:
American registered Avid Aircraft Bandit N169MS (Unknown)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 48 kw (65 hp) Rotax 582UL-2V two-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 10½ in)
- Length: 5.35 m (17 ft 11 in)
- Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 11.37 m² (122.46 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 145 km/h (90 mph)
- Cruising speed: 113 km/h (70 mph)
- Stalling speed: 58 km/h (36 mph)
- Best rate of climb: 72 km/h (45 mph)
- Fuel capacity: 53 litres (11.6 Imp gals)
- Range: 547 km (340 miles)
- Empty weight: 193 kg (425 lb)
- Useful load: 238 kg (525 lb)
- Loaded weight: 431 kg (950 lb)
History:
The Bandit was one of a range of aircraft produced by Avid Aircraft. The Company was originally known as Light Aero Inc and commenced business in Caldwell, Idaho, USA. It was founded in 1983 by Dean Wilson to produce the Avid Flyer but, after selling many kits, the Company, which changed its name to Avid Aircraft, closed its doors in November 2003 and production of kits was taken over by the Airdale Flying Company.
This latter company acquired the rights to the series of designs and set up production in Ennis, Montana, USA where production of kits was re-established in a new facility. Customers were also able to complete their aircraft kits at that facility. In later years the company produced the Airdale Airdale, and the Airdale Avid Plus kitplanes, which were developments of the Avid Mk IV Hauler.
The Bandit was a cheaper variant of the Mk IV and could be fitted with Aqua 950 floats for operations from lakes and rivers. Construction was of steel tube with fabric covering. Construction numbers in the Bandit series were known to run from 900 to 1,582 with an E suffix letter added.
At least one example has been completed and flown in Australia, this being 19-3225 (c/n 1511E) registered on 6 September 1999 under RAA Regulations, fitted with a Subaru EA-81 engine.