Photograph:
Carlson Sparrow II VH-JXN (c/n N161) at Rutherford, NSW in 1991 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport and training aircraft
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912 four-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9.5 m (31 ft 1¼ in)
- Length: 5.49 m (18 ft)
- Height: 2.36 m (7 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 13 m² (140 sq ft)
- Max speed: 209 km/h (130 mph)
- Cruising speed: 166 km/h (103 mph)
- Rate of climb: 533 m/min (1,750 ft/min)
- Stalling speed: 58 km/h (36 mph)
- Range: 483 km (300 miles)
- Empty weight: 231 kg (510 lb)
- Loaded weight: 476 kg (1050 lb)
History:
Initially designed in the United States by Carlson Aircraft Inc of East Palestine, Ohio, the Sparrow was modified to meet Rule 101.55 by Lake Macquarie Aviation, the type initially to be built for the Australian market at Warners Bay, NSW. Later plans were announced to construct both it and the Protech PT-2 at Maitland, NSW. Aimed at the light training, sport and touring aircraft market, being fitted with Rotax 532 and 582 two-stroke engines, or the Model 912 four-stroke engine, ranging in power from 48 kw (65 hp) to 60 kw (80 hp), the type could be factory built, completed as an ultralight, or constructed as a homebuilt, being supplied in kit form.
The Sparrow II was of welded steel tube construction, the wing having aluminium spars, the entire aircraft being Dacron covered. Dual controls were fitted and fuel capacity was 50 litres (11 Imp gals).
First of the type completed and registered in Australia was VH-JXN (c/n N161), registered late in 1990, which became 55-0766 on 21 April 1994 under RAA Regulations, followed by VH-AAH (c/n CA.311K) which became 19-3201 on 21 July 1999.
A number of variants were made available in the United States, including the Sparrow Sport Special, a single-seat homebuilt powered by a 39 kw (52 hp) Rotax 503 engine. Subsequently the Sparrow II appeared, being an enlarged two-seat derivative offering dual controls and short field performance. Another model became available being the Sparrow Ultralight powered by a 21 kw (28 hp) Rotax 277.