Photograph:
Stephens Akro VH-AUZ (c/n V57) at Mangalore, VIC in April 1983 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat sport aerobatic monoplane
Power Plant:
One 149 kw (200 hp) Avco Lycoming IO-360 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.42 m (24 ft 4 in)
- Length: 6.2 m (20 ft 4 in)
- Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 9.10 m² (98 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 324 km/h (202 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 915 m/min (3,000 ft/min)
- Stalling speed: 104 km/h (65 mph)
- Range with max fuel, no reserve: 556 km (345 miles)
- Empty weight: 413 kg (910 lb)
- Loaded weight: 589 kg (1,300 lb)
History:
The Akro was designed by Mr C L Stephens in the USA specifically for amateur constructors who wished to take part in competitive aerobatics. With this in mind he designed the Akro 2 in two models, the Model A and the Model B. The latter had a slightly larger wing and increased weights. Compared to the Model A, the Model B had a wing area of 9.29 m² (100 sq ft), an empty weight of 431 kg (950 lb) and a loaded weight of 589 kg (1,300 lb). Design work on the Model A began in July 1966 and construction of the prototype began a month later. The first flight was made on 27 July 1967, and the first aircraft built to Model B specifications was flown on 9 July 1969.
The Akro, also known as the Stephens laser 200, was stressed to +12 and –11 G limits, and had a fuel system providing the capability of prolonged inverted flight. If required, the type could be built with both fuel and oil systems modified for inverted flight, and a constant-speed propeller could be installed. The wing was constructed of wood, with ailerons of wood and metal with fabric covering. The fuselage was of welded steel tube with Ceconite covering, and the tail was of the braced type built from steel tube with fabric covering. A non-retractable tailwheel undercarriage was installed.
The Akro received approval from the Australia Department of Aviation (as it then was) on 2 March 1982. However, the Australian aircraft was re-designed by Laser Aerobatics of Glen Iris, VIC and, although generally similar in configuration to the original American design, has been considered by many to be an entirely new design.
Specifications above are for the Australian designed and built Laser, the original Akro having a 134 kw (180 hp) Lycoming AIO-360-A1A engine compared to the 149 kw (200 hp) Avco Lycoming IO-360 unit. A number of examples have appeared on the Australian register, including: Akro B Laser VH-AUZ (c/n V57) which was exported to the United Kingdom in March 1987 as G-BMZZ; Akro B Laser VH-KGZ (c/n V58); Akro Z Laser VH-JAD (c/n V71) and Akro Z Laser VH-IAC³ (c/n Q056). Other Akro projects have been known to have been commenced over the years but have not been completed.
The basic design of the aircraft has been developed by a number of people over the years. One example was constructed by Sam Fry at Prairieville, Los Angeles, he building an aircraft from the basic kit and completing it on 20 October 1992, it being registered as a Sam Fry Laser 230 N31LZ powered by a Lycoming HIO-360-C1A engine of 172 kw (230 hp) driving a Whirlwind propeller. It was exported to New Zealand and became ZK-LZR (c/n 31) on 7 March 2011 taking up residence at Rangiora.