Photograph:
Pipistrel Virus 24-3911 (c/n S9120104) at Temora, NSW in April 2010 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Slovenia
Description:
Two-seat powered glider
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912 four-cylinder four-stroke liquid-and-air-cooled dual-carburettor electronic dual-ignition engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 12.46 m (40 ft 9 in)
- Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 3 in)
- Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 11.0 m² (118.41 sq ft)
- Max speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
- Cruising speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
- Max manoeuvring speed: 141 km/h (88 mph)
- Stalling speed with flaps: 64 km/h (40 mph)
- Stalling speed no flaps: 72 km/h (45 mph)
- Service ceiling: 8,100 m (26,575 ft)
- Range: 1,280 km (795 miles)
- Endurance: 5.7 hours
- Take-off run: 90 m (295 ft)
- Take-off run over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 167 m (548 ft)
- Empty weight: 285 kg (628 lb)
- Loaded weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
History:
The Virus and Sinus light powered gliders are members of a family of aircraft produced to meet world ultralight regulations which have been produced in volume by Pipistrel in Slovenia for the world market. They were the first ultralight certified two-seat motor-gliders and as such have received full certification in several countries, including Australia, where type acceptance certificates were issued that enabled them to operate under AUF/RAA or Gliding Federation Rules.
The aircraft have been constructed from JAR 22 long-life composite materials, being epoxy-resin, fibreglass, carbon and Kevlar, and are of clean design, with low drag. Main differences between the two models are the wingspan, the undercarriage fitted (tailwheel or tricycle) and the model of Rotax engine installed. Two wing spans are available, the 15 m (49 ft 3 in) and the 12.4 m (40 ft 7 in). Engine installed is the 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912. The aircraft was only available as factory-built certified machines but in 2009 was released to builders in kit form. First examples of the series were shipped to Australia in late 2002.
A number of examples have been registered in Australia under RAA regulations, including Virus 24-3911. First registered in New Zealand became ZK-GPI (c/n 134N9120204) to Pipistrel Aircraft of New Zealand Ltd in November 2006.