Photograph:
Skyleader 500 OK-RUU 65 in the Czech Republic (Skyleader)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Two-seat training and touring monoplane
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912UL four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-and-liquid-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9.9 m (32 ft 4 in)
- Length: 7.2 m (23 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 11.85 m² (127.55 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed at 1,524 m (5,000 ft): 216 km/h (134 mph)
- Stalling speed: 61 km/h (38 mph)
- Rate of climb at sea level: 180 m/min (591 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,764 ft)
- Take-off run: 160 m (525 ft)
- Range with standard tanks at 75% power with 30 mins reserve: 760 km (472 miles)
- Range with optional tanks at 75% power with 30 mins reserve: 1,050 km (652 miles)
- Fuel capacity standard: 64 litres (14 Imp gals)
- Fuel capacity optional: 90 litres (19.8 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 303 kg (668 lb)
- Loaded weight: 580 kg (1,279 lb)
History:
The Skyleader 500 was a 2009 entry to the market and was a light two-seat training and touring aircraft produced in the Czech Republic. It was available to meet various regulations which required max weights of 450 kg, 472.5 kg, 544 kg and 580 kg. It has also been known on various markets as the Jihlavan Airplanes KP-5U and on the American market as the Kappa KP-5U.
It was normally constructed as a two-seat side-by-side all-metal low-wing aircraft with two position Fowler type flaps and a tricycle undercarriage. Fuel was contained in two 32 litre (7 Imp gal) fuel tanks in the wing centre section, but additional 13 litre (2.8 Imp gal) tanks were available to bring the total to 90 litres (19.8 Imp gals). Options included a retractable undercarriage, leather interior, metallic paint and glass cockpit, consisting of EFIS and EMS, and autopilot.
The type was imported to Australia by Aerolift Australia Pty Ltd of Canungra, QLD, the first of the type arriving in late 2010. The aircraft was supplied in completed form and was test flown at the manufacturer’s facility, then packed and shipped to Australia for assembly. Design loads were +4 and -2 G. Engine was the Rotax 912UL but the 912ULS and 914UL turbocharged model were also available. It could be fitted with fixed or ground adjustable, or in-flight variable speed or constant speed two or three-blade propellers.
Examples have been registered under RAA regulations, one becoming 24-7038 (c/n 161L) on 10 December 2008 but was cancelled on 10 December 2009. Another example known as a Jihlavan Skyleader 500 became 24-8373 (c/n 5215231S) on 25 July 2013, and a KP-5U, registered as a Kappa KP-5U Sabre RVX100 on 6 January 2004, has been operated in Tasmania as 24-4039 (c/n 50-93-111L).