Photograph:
Tecnam P-96 Golf S100 24-4868 (c/n 118) at Hoxton Park, NSW in July 2008 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Italy
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912UL four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.70 m (28 ft 6½ in)
- Length: 6.40 m (21 ft)
- Height: 2.30 m (7 ft 6½ in)
- Wing area: 12.20 m ² (131.3 sq ft)
- Max speed: 245 km/h (152 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power: 210 km/h (130 mph)
- Economical cruising speed at 55% power: 163 km/h (101 mph)
- Stalling speed flaps down: 61 km/h (38 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 305 m/min (1,000 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,120 ft)
- Max range: 800 km (497 miles)
- Take-off and landing run: 90 m (300 ft)
- Fuel capacity: 70 litres (15.4 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 273 kg (602 lb)
- Loaded weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
History:
The construction of the prototype of the P-96 Golf series commenced in July 1996, the first flight being made in March 1997. Produced in two variants, it was available as an ultralight or in general aviation registered form, the latter having a max take-off weight of 550 kg (1,212 lb) and being fitted with the Rotax 912A engine. Seating was for two, side-by-side, with baggage space behind the seats.
In the design, emphasis was placed on the reduction of aerodynamic drag without compromising cost. The fuselage cross-section was such as to permit easy access for two tall occupants. Many parts were interchangeable with the P-92 Echo. The fuselage had a composite spine through to the tailfin. A fixed tricycle undercarriage was fitted with hydraulic disc brakes operated by a single hand lever in the cockpit.
The Golf, like the Echo, proved to be popular in this region and a number have been imported by the distributor, the first aircraft being registered in New Zealand. Most of the examples in Australia have been registered under Recreation Aviation Australia (RAA) regulations.