Photograph:
First Wedgetail Sierra 200 during construction at Camden, NSW in 2018 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Two-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 97 kw (130 hp) Jabiru 3300 six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.9 m (25 ft 10 in)
- Length: 4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)
- Never exceed speed: 278 km/h (173 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power at 2,438 m (8,000 ft): 157 km/h (98 mph)
- Max manoeuvring speed: 157 km/h (98 mph)
- Stalling speed clean: 56 km/h (35 mph)
- Stalling speed with flaps: 41 km/h (25 mph)
- Rate of climb: 305 m/min (1,000 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,048 m (10,000 ft)
- Fuel capacity: 95 litres (21 Imp gals)
- Take-off roll over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 350 m (1,148 ft)
- Landing roll over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 300 m (984 ft)
- Endurance: 5 to 6 hours
- Ultimate load: +8/-4G
- Empty weight: 313 kg (690 lb)
- Loaded weight: 544 kg (1,199 lb)
History:
In early 2017 Morgan Aeroworks of Taree, NSW stopped production of its range of aircraft, comprising the Cheetah, Sierra and Cougar light sport aircraft, the owner of the Company, Gary Morgan, retiring from aircraft production and moving back to New Zealand. The Company and its aircraft designs were then obtained by Wedgetail Aircraft of Camden, NSW, obtaining rights to these aircraft, as well as the Sadler Vampire, putting these aircraft into production to meet demand.
The Sierra has sold throughout Australia and New Zealand as a recreational aircraft, with more than 55 kits sold up to early 2017, and has been noted for its good performance and ease of operation. Wedgetail Aircraft upgraded the design and new kits are fitted with a new heavy-duty undercarriage, a new control system, and the choice of two variants of the Jabiru series of engine, the 2200 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed unit, and the 3300 six-cylinder horizontally-opposed unit. It has two seats and is a low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction. All fuel is carried in the fuselage so the wings can be removed for storage. It has a moulded canopy, MATCO wheels and brakes, a glass cockpit and leather seats. Other engines available include the Rotax 912UL, the Limbach four-cylinder unit, or a Lycoming O-320.