Photograph:
Pro Mecc Sparviero 24-7801 (c/n PM070) at Temora, NSW in April 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Italy
Description:
Two-seat light sporting monoplane
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912UL four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9.23 m (30 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 12 m² (129.17 sq ft)
- Cruising speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
- Never exceed speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
- Minimum speed: 58 km/h (36 mph)
- Take-off run over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 120 m (390 ft)
- Landing run over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 150 m (490 ft)
- Empty weight: 290 kg (639 lb)
- Loaded weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
History:
The Sparviero (Sparrow Hawk) is an Italian designed two-seat light sporting monoplane of all composite construction built as a complete aircraft by Pro Mecc Srl of Corigliano d’Otranto, Italy. It is available in a couple of categories, including LSA with a max take-off weight of 600 kg (1,323 lb), this model usually having the 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax ULS engine, a cruising speed of 213 km/h (132 mph) and a climb of 351 m/min (1,150 ft/min).
The Sparviero is stylish but was designed to meet the lower end of the price market. Its wing skins are built of carbon fibre. As production continued further development took place and in December 2009 the Sparviero 100 appeared, this model being lighter, with increased performance, having a modified canopy and new designed seats. Normal power plant is the Rotax 912S but any model from the 912 range could be installed.
A quick-build kit was introduced to the range in 2011, consisting of a complete airframe and wings, providing everything except the electrics and the engine. A further variant of the design is the Freccia Anemo (Arrow) which is similar in appearance and built completely of carbon fibre composites but is sleeker, longer and has improved performance. It has an elliptical wing, double slotted flaps and a cruising speed of 260 km/h (162 mph). A retractable undercarriage variant was developed for the US market.
The first of the type seen in this region was imported in early 2011 and was shown at the Recreational Aircraft fly-in at Temora at Easter 2011. The type has been imported and marketed by Outback Aircraft of Brisbane, QLD, the first example becoming 24-7801.