Photograph:
Roko Aero Stratus ZK-SAY (c/n 001/2008) at Omaka, New Zealand in April 2009 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912ULS four-cylinder four-stroke liquid-and-air-cooled electronic dual-ignition engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.1 m (33 ft 1 in)
- Length: 6.45 m (21 ft 1 in)
- Height: 2.28 m (7 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 13 m² (139.93 sq ft)
- Max (never exceed) speed: 270 km/h (168 mph)
- Cruising speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
- Stalling speed with flaps: 55 km/h (34 mph)
- Stalling speed without flaps: 67 km/h (42 mph)
- Max manoeuvring speed: 166 km/h 103 mph)
- Max flap speed: 139 km/h (86 mph)
- Fuel capacity: 130 litres (29 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 330 kg (728 lb)
- Disposable load: 270 kg (595 lb)
- Useful load: 154 kg (340 lb)
- Loaded weight: 600 kg (1,322 lb)
History:
The prototype of the NG-4 Stratus [OK-NUR 20] powered by a Rotax 912ULS engine was flown for the first time on 23 March 2008, this being a new type from the Czech Republic designed to meet American and European light sports aircraft regulations. It was shown to the public for the first time at an event at the Praha Hilton Hotel in Hungary on 14 April that year. A test aircraft completed structural testing and the first production aircraft was shipped to Aerosport Aviation Co Ltd in New Zealand on 19 May 2008, this company ordering a further six examples. Certification was soon received in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and later Switzerland.
Two variants are available, the NG-4 aimed mainly at the American LSA rules; and the NG-4 UL Ecolight, designed for recreational, travelling and pilot training roles. This latter model had a number of changes to meet various regulations, having a smaller wing of 8.1 m span (26 ft 6 in), control surfaces adjusted to the shorter wing, and a larger flap extension. Both variants have the same cockpit but the UL is available only with the Rotax series of engines driving a ground-adjustable Woodcomp Klassic propeller.
A number of engines are available, these including the 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912UL, the 75 kw (100 hp) 912ULS, the 86 kw (115 hp) Rotax 914, the Jabiru six-cylinder 3300 of 93 kw (125 hp) and the Continental O-200 also of 93 kw (125 hp). First public display of a Stratus in this region was at Omaka, NZ in March 2009. A Stratus NG-4 LSA was registered in Australia as 24-7357 (c/n 001/2008 – ex ZK-SAY) on 22 December 2009.