Photograph:
TL-2000 Carbon Sting registered with the RAA as 24-5461 (c/n 06ST148 – ex 24-4661) at Cowra, NSW (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 80 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.44 m (27 ft 8 in)
- Length: 5.93 m (19 ft 5 in)
- Height: 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 9.85 m² (106.02 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 333 km/h (207 mph)
- Max speed: 287 km/h (178 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power at 5,200 rpm: 265 km/h (165 mph)
- Cruising speed at 65% power at 5,000 rpm: 245 km/h (152 mph)
- Max speed in turbulence: 213 km/h (132 mph)
- Stalling speed no flaps: 81 km/h (51 mph)
- Stalling speed with 35 deg flaps: 65 km/h (40 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 351 m/min (1,150 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 5,485 m (18,000 ft)
- Take-off roll on grass: 75 m (246 ft)
- Take-off over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 220 m (722 ft)
- Landing roll on grass: 100 m (328 ft)
- Landing distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 200 m (656 ft)
- Fuel capacity standard: 69 litres (15 imp gals)
- Fuel capacity optional: 80 litres (17.7 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 290 kg (639 lb)
- Max payload: 280 kg (617 lb)
- Loaded weight: 560 kg (1,235 lb)
History:
The TL Ultralight Sting series of light aircraft is manufactured as a Type Certified ultralight aircraft in the Czech Republic and has been available in Australia in a number of models for some years. The Sting Carbon can be registered with the RAA as a factory-built aircraft or as an LSA aircraft, and with the Civil Aviation Authority as a Light Sport Aircraft, thus being able to be operated for training, private hire, or private operations.
As at December 2008 more than 300 examples had been supplied around the world, the Sting Carbon superceding the TL-96 Star series. A number of FAI records have been achieved in the Microlight and Aircraft (C.1a) up to 500 kg (1,102 lb) category. Engine usually installed is from the Rotax range, and engines ranging from 60 kw (80 hp), 80 kw (100 hp) and 86 kw (115 hp) turbocharged units can be fitted, driving a three-blade Woodcomp propeller available in fixed pitch, variable pitch, or constant speed configurations. The cockpit is comfortable for two persons and the pedals are adjustable. It is supplied with a complete selection of basic flight instruments from the factory and additional equipment up to EFIS systems and auto-pilots may be installed. The wings may be removed by two people in 15 minutes for storage or shipping. Construction is of carbon fibre and is said to be easy to maintain and repair.
The Sting Carbon comes in two models, the TL-2000 Sting Carbon with a fixed undercarriage, and the TL-2000 Sting Carbon RG with a retractable undercarriage. Standard fuel is 69 litres (15 Imp gals) but fuel capacity of 120 litres (26 Imp gals) or 150 litres (33 Imp gals) can be installed for long range.
Variants of both the fixed undercarriage (24-3768 and 24-5461) and retractable undercarriage (24-4083) models have been registered in Australia. The type has been imported to this part of the world by TL Ultralight Australia.