Photograph:
Avid Aircraft Mk IV ZK-JHW (c/n 1434D) at Ashburton, NZ in February 2011 (G Porter – NZCIVAIR)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 48 kw (65 hp) Rotax 582UL-2V two-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid cooled, dual electronic-ignition engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.31 m (24 ft)
- Length: 5.45 m (17 ft 9 in)
- Height: 2.1 m (6 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 9.04 m² (97.3 sq ft)
- Max speed: 217 km/h (135 mph)
- Cruising speed: 193 km/h (120 mph)
- Stalling speed: 74 km/h (46 mph)
- Rate of climb: 259 m/min (850 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,658 m (12,000 ft)
- Take-off run: 91 m (300 ft)
- Landing run: 182 m (600 ft)
- Range: 1,048 km (651 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 68 litres (15 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 231 kg (510 lb)
- Loaded weight: 522 kg (1,150 lb)
History:
The Mark IV and Speedwing which have been produced by Avid Aircraft of Caldwell, Idaho, USA in kit form were examples of a range of aircraft produced in this form to meet the requirements of amateur builders around the world for a light aircraft withgood performance that were cheap and easy to build. A variety of engines was available including units from the Rotax range, Subaru, Volkswagen conversions, Jabiru 2200, etc.
The Speedwing had a modified aerofoil and the wingspan reduced from other models by 1.79 m (5 ft 11 in), which increased the cruising speed. Both models could be fitted with a tailwheel undercarriage, skis or floats. Construction was of steel tube with fabric covering.
The Mark IV was similar but differed in having a wingspan of 9.11 m (29 ft 9 in) and a wing area of 11.38 m² (122.5 sq ft), giving this model a rate of climb of 205 m/min (1,000 ft/min) and a take-off run of 43 m (140 ft).
A number of examples have been completed in this region, including Mk IV STOL 19-3304 (c/n 1341D – ex N289D) which was fitted with a Subaru EA-81 engine.