Photograph:
Stits Skycoupe VH-FPE (c/n V24) at Morwell, VIC in April 1980 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Continental O-200A four-cylinder horizontally opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in)
- Length: 5.8 m (19 ft)
- Height: 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 11.15 m² (120 sq ft)
- Max speed: 193 km/h (120 mph)
- Cruising speed: 174 km/h (108 mph)
- Stalling speed: 77 km/h (48 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 183 m/min (600 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)
- Range: 644 km (400 miles)
- Empty weight: 340 kg (750 lb)
- Loaded weight: 590 kg (1,300 lb)
History:
The first aircraft in the Skycoupe series, the SA-7, was not originally planned for production, but interest in the aircraft forced the designer, Ray Stits, to revise his plans. This decision then led to a new model aimed at the homebuilt market known as the SA-7A, and this was sold in kit form. Like most Stits designs, the Skycoupe was intended to be a simple, economical aircraft for touring, providing accommodation for two, side-by-side, with an extra-large baggage compartment. Flying characteristics were good, and the aircraft responded quickly to the controls. With a high-wing configuration, and a tricycle undercarriage, it was a standard Stits design incorporating wooden wings, chrome-molybdenum tubing fuselage and tail, and was covered with fabric.
The next model in the series to appear was the SA-7B. This incorporated a number of changes, including a trim-tab on the elevator in place of the adjustable stabiliser on the SA-7A, a redesigned fuselage and tail surfaces, a door on each side, and additional fuel capacity. A 48 kw (65 hp) Continental engine was initially installed, but this was soon replaced by a 63 kw (85 hp) version. The next model was the SA-7C, but only one example was built, this aircraft being fitted with a 93 kw (125 hp) Lycoming engine.
After some development the definitive model for amateur constructors, the SA-7D, was released. This became available in kit form and was sold in some numbers. Because of its similarity to the previous models, no actual prototype as such was built. The SA-7D could be fitted with engines ranging in power from 48 kw (65 hp) to 75 kw (100 hp), depending on the requirements of the constructor.
First of the type in this region was VH-FPE (c/n V24) registered on 9 July 1975, fitted with a tailwheel undercarriage. It was followed by VH-ACH (c/n W.9), an SA-7D in 1992, this aircraft having been imported in the early 1970s but, after a number of owners, having not been completed until August 1992. Originally built with the standard tricycle undercarriage, it was later rebuilt and fitted with a tailwheel undercarriage.