Photograph:
Direct Fly Alto TG 23-1599 (c/n 88) at an aviation event at Albion Park, NSW in 2019 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912ULS four-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.1 m (26 ft 7 in)
- Length: 6.15 m (20 ft 2 in)
- Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 10.14 m² (109.1 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 270 km/h (168 mph)
- Max speed: 245 km/h (152 mph)
- Cruising speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
- Stalling speed: 65 km/h (40 mph)
- Rate of climb: 329 m/min (1,080 ft/min)
- Fuel capacity: 100 litres (22 Imp gals)
- Take-off distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 410 m (1,345 ft)
- Landing distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 295 m (968 ft)
- Empty weight: 287 kg (633 lb)
- Loaded weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)
History:
The Direct Fly Alto was a two-seat training and sport aircraft built in the Czech Republic which became available in three main variants, the Alto TG with a tricycle undercarriage; the Alto TW with a conventional tailwheel undercarriage; and the Alto 100 which was aimed at the United States Light Sport Aircraft market. By early 2019 more than 40 examples had been delivered. It was first promoted in the United States at the Sun ‘n Fun event in Florida in 2010.
The manufacturer has operated in the Hluk area of the Czech Republic and the type was supplied as a basic kit, as a complete aircraft ready to fly, or in kit form as a quick-build kit. It complied with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale microlight rules and United States LSA rules. It was a cantilever low-wing monoplane with two seats in side-by-side configuration under an enclosed canopy. It was constructed of all-metal and engines available have been the 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912UL, the 75 kw (100 hp) RotaxULS, and the 89 kw (120 hp) Jabiru 3300 unit. The Alto received FAA certification in 2011 as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA).
First example of the type seen in this part of the world arrived at Moorabbin, VIC in early 2019 for the Australian distributor, AeroEdge Australia, this aircraft being registered with Recreational Aviation Australia (RAA) as 23-1599 (c/n 88) on 18 October 2018. It was placed on display at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon, VIC in March 2019, that year, later being displayed at Wings Over Illawarra at Albion Park, NSW in May.