Photograph:
TL Ultralight TL-3000 Sirius 24-7308 (c/n 09SI08) at Temora, NSW in April 2010 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Rotax 912ULS four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
- Length: 7 m (23 ft)
- Height: 2 m (6 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 11.25 m² (121 sq ft)
- Max speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75 % power: 215 km/h (134 mph)
- Stalling speed: 60 km/h 37 mph)
- Fuel capacity: 130 litres (28.59 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 295 kg (650 lb)
- Loaded weight: 600 kg (1,320 lb)
History:
The TL-3000 Sirius was one of a number of light aircraft produced in the Czech Republic to LSA standards, first being completed in early 2009, having at that time completed flight testing and certification. It boasted one of the most spacious cockpits in its class and was described as being able “to fly with pilot, passenger and a set of golf clubs in the rear”.
Founder and President of TL Ultralight was Mr Jiri Tlusty who described the aircraft as having “responsive, low-speed handling and docile flight characteristics throughout the entire flight envelope ” and was suitable for training organisations and pilots wanting an inexpensive aircraft to own and run.
Like the Company’s other design, the Sting, it became available with a standard flight and engine monitoring system and full glass panel display.
The first examples to arrive in Australia were imported by the distributor in early 2010. Australian examples registered under RAA Regulations including 24-7505 (c/n 10ST345), 24-7508 (c/n 10S125), 24-7509 (c/n 10S133), 24-7510 (c/n 10S134), 24-7511 (c/n 10S139), 24-7512 (c/n 10S140), 24-7792 (c/n 11-SI53) and 24-7793 (c/n 11-SI42).
Two were registered in New Zealand on 17 May 2010 to Sports Aircraft Ltd at North Shore, these becoming ZK-SPR (c/n 10 SI 12) and ZK-SUS (c/n 10 SI 13).