Photograph:
First example of the Skyleader GP One in the South Pacific, ZK-WLB (c/n 8005005 S) at Lake Manapouri, New Zealand in late 2014 (NZCIVAIR)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912UL four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed, liquid-and-air-cooled four-stroke engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.2 m (33 ft 6 in)
- Length: 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 11.165 m² (120.18 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 260 km/h (162 mph)
- Max speed: 215 km/h (134 mph)
- Cruising speed: 193 km/h (120 mph)
- Stalling speed: 64 km/h (40 mph)
- Range: 1,370 km (851 miles)
- Endurance: 6.1 hours plus 30 mins reserve
- Fuel capacity: 105 litres (23 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 280 kg (617 lb)
- Loaded weight: 472.5 kg (1,042 lb)
History:
The Skyleader GP One is one of a series of light aircraft produced by Skyleader Aircraft, a subsidiary of Jihlavan Airplanes, in the Czech Republic. This Company’s designs range through the Skyleader 100, 400, 500 and 600. The GP One was first shown to the public at the Aero Show held in Friedrichshafen in Germany in 2012 and was initially offered to interested buyers in ready-to-fly form. The aircraft was designed to comply with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale microlight aircraft regulations. The aircraft has electric flaps and an integrated parachute system.
The GP One is a two-seat side-by-side aircraft with a cantilever high wing and has an enclosed cockpit to which access is provided by a door on each side. It has a tricycle undercarriage and a single Rotax 912 engine in the tractor configuration. Construction is of carbon fibre. Production commenced in 2011, with deliveries to customers beginning in 2012.
First example of the GP One series in this part of the world became ZK-WLB (c/n 8005005 S) imported by the local agent, Sky Freedom Aviation NZ. This aircraft took up duties with the Fiordland Aero Club at Manapouri, making its first New Zealand flight on 1 February 2014. The type is expected to sell to flight schools, aero clubs and private individuals. In New Zealand it gained type acceptance for an all-up weight of 600 kg (1,323 lb) LSA for use by commercial training organisations.