Photograph:
TeST TST-10M Atlas VH-GIM (c/n 10021905) at Watts Bridge, QLD in August 2010 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Two-seat self-launched glider
Power Plant:
One 30 kw (40 hp) Rotax 447UL2V two-cylinder, two-stroke, fan-cooled engine with electronic single ignition
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 2 in)
- Length: 6.87 m (22 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 9.85 m² (106 sq ft)
- Max manoeuvring speed: 140 km/h (87 mph)
- Cruising speed: 105 km/h (65 mph)
- Stalling speed: 61 km/h (38 mph)
- Service ceiling: 2,438 m (8,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 183 m/min (600 ft/min)
- Glide ratio 40 at: 88 km/h (55 mph)
- Take-off distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 360 m (1,180 ft)
- Landing distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 230 m (750 ft)
- Empty weight: 285 kg (628 lb)
- Loaded weight: 435 kg (959 lb)
History:
The Atlas 10 series was a self-launched glider seating two, with an engine behind the cockpit folding into the rear fuselage. Built and developed in the Czech Republic at Brno by the TeST Ultra-light Glider Co, early variants had an 18 kw (24 hp) M-115 engine. It was available in the Atlas 10 and Atlas 10M models, the latter being the powered model whereas the Atlas 10 did not have a power-plant. It had a fully enclosed cockpit and could be obtained in kit form for construction by the amateur builder. A number of engines were available, including the Rotax 503.
It was certified in Europe as an ultralight. It was said to have outstanding soaring capabilities, being easy to handle, and was suitable for thermal flights and wave or ridge flights. Engine extraction and retraction was fully automatic and was controlled by two electronic servo motors, being operated by the pilot by two buttons on the instrument panel.
Examples of the TST-10M Atlas have been imported, including VH-GHG² (c/n 10022005) registered on 29 March 2006, VH-GIM² (c/n 10021905) registered on 12 April 2006, and VH-GIO² (c/n 10022906) registered on 29 August 2007.