Flyitalia MD3 Rider

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Flyitalia MD3 Rider
Role Ultralight aircraft and Light-sport aircraft
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Flyitalia
Next Aircraft
Designer Jaro Drostal
Status In production (2013)

The Flyitalia MD3 Rider is an Italian ultralight and light-sport aircraft that was designed by Jaro Drostal in the Czech Republic and produced by Flyitalia of Dovera, Italy. The aircraft was supplied by Flyitalia complete and ready-to-fly.[1][2]

The company went out of business and production ended in 2011, but production was resumed by a new company, Next Aircraft of Rivanazzano in 2013, who supply it ready-to-fly.[2][3]

Design and development[edit]

The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules and US light-sport aircraft rules. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft is made with riveted and bonded aluminum sheet semi-monocoque construction, with a welded steel cockpit cage. The engine cowling and fairings are made from composites, with the cockpit doors fashioned from carbon-fibre. Its 8.5 m (27.9 ft) span wing has an area of 9.5 m2 (102 sq ft), electrically-operated flaps, electric elevator trim and integral fuel tanks. The cockpit is 117 cm (46 in) wide. A folding wing for storage and ground transport was a factory option. The standard engines factory supplied are the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL and the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS four-stroke powerplant.[1][2]

The MD3 has a gross weight of 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) for the European microlight class and 520 kg (1,146 lb) for the US LSA category.[1][2]

A float version was under consideration in 2015.[2]

Specifications (MD3 Rider)[edit]

Data from Bayerl[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 9.5 m2 (102 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 287 kg (633 lb)
  • Gross weight: 472.5 kg (1,042 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 70 litres (15 imp gal; 18 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS four cylinder, liquid and air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 75 kW (101 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 210 km/h (130 mph, 110 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn)
  • Stall speed: 62 km/h (39 mph, 33 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 7 m/s (1,400 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 49.74 kg/m2 (10.19 lb/sq ft)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 54. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ a b c d e f Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 70. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ^ "Md3 Rider is back". Next-aircraft.com. Retrieved 1 July 2013.

External links[edit]