Photograph:
Fantasy Air Allegro 19-5280 (c/n 05-719) at Temora, NSW in March 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Two-seat light touring and training monoplane
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912UL-2 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 8 in)
- Length: 6.1 m (20 ft)
- Height: 2 m (6 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 11.45 m² (123.25 sq ft)
- Max speed: 220 km/h (137 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
- Stalling speed: 65 km/h (40 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 300 m/min (984 ft/min)
- Range: 600 km (373 miles)
- Empty weight: 285 kg (628 lb)
- Loaded weight: 520 kg (1,146 lb)
History:
The Fantasy Air Allegro was one of a series of ultralight aircraft built at Pisek in the Czech Republic by Fantasy Air Ltd. It was available in three models, the Allegro SW, Allegro 2000, and Allegro 2000F. Most were fitted with the Rotax 912 engine series, although the Rotax 582UL could be fitted, as could the Jabiru 2200.
The Allegro 2000F was a variant of the 2000 with a max take-off weight of 520 kg (1,146 lb) and was fitted with the Rotax 912 engine and non-amphibious floats. Max speed was 180 km/h (112 mph).
The Allegro SW was the basic model which could be fitted with the Rotax 582UL DCDI or 912UL engines and had a loaded weight of 450 kg (992 lb).
The Allegro series of two-seat microlight aircraft was classical high-wing aeroplane with a nose-mounted engine, two seats side-by-side and a T-tailplane. The undercarriage was of the tricycle type with rubber block shock-absorbers, brakes on the main wheels, and a steerable nosewheel. The fuselage was of fibreglass laminate whereas the wing and the tailplane were of metal construction covered partly with fabric. The centre-section of the wing was welded from steel tubes. The single control stick was situate between the seats and the large area of window space provided good vision. The flaps were electrically-operated, allowing a stalling speed in the order of 65 km/h (40 mph).
Examples of the type have been imported to this region, one of the first being 24-4047 (c/n 04-1601) registered on 1 January 2004, operated under Recreational Aviation Australia Regulations in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, but the type could be operated as a general aviation aircraft.
One of the first registered in New Zealand was ZK-DCU (c/n 06/0612), a Model 2000, in June 2006. Since then a number have been imported, most registered under ultralight regulations.
Other variants have included the Allegro SW aimed at complying with the European microlight regulations with shorter wings and a gross weight of 454 kg (1,001 lb). The Allegro 2007 had re-designed doors, changes to the cockpit for better comfort and an increase in gross weight to meet US Light Sport regulations for a gross weight of 599 kg (1,320 lb). The Allegro LSA has been built in the United States and could be fitted with floats.