Pipistrel Sinus
| Pipistrel Sinus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Ultralight Aircraft |
| National origin | Slovenia |
| Manufacturer | Pipistrel |
| First flight | 1995 |
| Number built | 300 (2011)[1] |
The Pipistrel Sinus is a single-engine ultralight, motor glider developed by Pipistrel.[1][2]
Development
The development of the Sinus began in 1994 in close collaboration with the Slovenian firm Alabastar Ltd. A year later, the Sinus was unveiled at AERO 95 show in Friedrichshafen, with first flight of the prototype taking place in 1996.
In 2001, Philippe Zen and Thomas Knowles flew a Sinus at the World Air Games in Spain and won first place in the two-seat category.
Design
The Sinus is a two-seat, ultra-light, high-wing, cantilever monoplane. It is primarily built from composite materials and is capable of soaring. The variable-pitch propeller (Pipistrel VARIO) can be feathered in order to diminish the air resistance in non-powered flight.[3]
The Pipistrel Sinus comes with either nose-wheel or taildragger landing gear. Engine models available are the Rotax 503, 582 and 912.
Variants
- Sinus 447
- Rotax 447 powered variant for the Slovenian market.
- Sinus 503
- Rotax 503 powered variant with a variable-pitch folding propeller.
- Sinus 582
- As the 503 but fitted with a Rotax 582.
- Sinus 912
- Rotax 912 powered variant.[3]
- Sinus FLEX
- Option features two wingtip sets to convert from motor glider to sport cruiser in minutes. With the short wing tips the aircraft is the same as the Pipistrel Virus. The wing tips can also be used on any existing Sinus and not just new-built aircraft.[4]
Specifications (Sinus 912)
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Fuel capacity: 2×30 L (2×8 U.S. gal)
- Baggage capacity:
Performance
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ a b Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 63. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 312. BAI Communications, July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
- ^ a b Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 136. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ Pew, Glenn (2013-09-05). "Pipistrel Offers Flex Wing". Avweb. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
External links
