WLT Sparrow
| Sparrow ML | |
|---|---|
| Role | Tandem seat ultralight |
| National origin | Czech Republic |
| Manufacturer | Wolfsberg Aircraft s.r.o. |
| Designer | Alec N Clark |
| First flight | 24 August 2010 |
| Introduction | March 2013 |
| Status | in production |
| Number built | 13 by end-2017 |
The Wolfsberg Aircraft Sparrow ML is a twin boom, pusher configuration ultralight aircraft seating two in tandem. Designed and built in the Czech Republic, originally by Wolfsberg Letecká Továrna (WLT) which was renamed Wolfberg Aircraft in 2017.[1]
Design and development
The Sparrow is largely built from carbon fibre. Its wing has a short span rectangular section between the tail-booms and straight-tapered outer panels with angled tips. There are short ailerons with flaps between them and the twin slender booms. Each boom carries an angled, straight edged fin and rudder; the tailplane, with a one-piece elevator fitted with an offset trim tab, is mounted on top of the fins.[2]
The Sparrow's fuselage has a smooth profile partly defined by multipanel glazing that extends almost from the nose back beyond the wing leading edge. Access to both of the tandem seats is via a wide port-side door. The aircraft is normally flown from the front; the rear seat, placed over the leading edge, can also be provided with controls and instrumentation for an instructor (the Trainer version) or, as on the Clubman, be a passenger position. A ballistic recovery parachute is an option. The Sparrow has a fixed tricycle undercarriage; all three wheels have speed fairings and the main wheels have faired legs under the wings, raked back from the forward ends of the booms.[2]
The Sparrow first flew on 24 August 2010 and production started in 2012.[3] It achieved Czech certification on 1 March 2013 and by the summer of that year six had been built.[2] French certification was obtained in January 2014[4] and it appeared on public display for the first time at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2014. The display example is a later version powered by a 75 kW (100 hp) Rotax 912 ULS flat-four, air- and liquid-cooled engine.[2][5]
Variants
- Sparrow ML Clubman
- Controls and instruments for front seat only.
- Sparrow ML Trainer
- Dual controls and instruments. 12 kg (26 lb) heavier than the Clubman.
Specifications (Rotax 912 UL engine)
Data from Wolfsberg Aircraft [6]
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 7.00 m (23 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in)
- Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 11.6 m2 (125 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 272 kg (600 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 472.5 kg (1,042 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 UL air and water-cooled horizontally opposed 4-cylinder in pusher configuration, 60 kW (80 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Woodcomp Klassic 170/3, 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) diameter composite,[7][dead link] with ground adjustable pitch
Performance
- Cruise speed: 210 km/h (130 mph, 110 kn)
- Stall speed: 57 km/h (35 mph, 31 kn) flaps down
- Never exceed speed: 234 km/h (145 mph, 126 kn)
- Minimum control speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
- Take-off distance to clear 15 m (50 ft): 210 m (689 ft)
- Landing distance from 15 m (50 ft): 210 m (689 ft)
References
- ^ Simpson, Rod; Longley, Peter; Swan, Robert:The General Aviation Handbook", page 212, Air-Britain, Tonbridge UK, 2022, ISBN 978-8-85130-562-2
- ^ a b c d Gunston, Bill (2015). Jane's All the World's Aircraft : development & production : 2015-16. IHS Global. p. 210. ISBN 978-0-7106-3135-0.
- ^ Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 88. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ "Sparrow Aircraft". Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Aero Friedrichshafen". Air Britain World. 66 (2): 101. June 2014.
- ^ "Wolfsberg Aircraft s.r.o." Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "Woodkomp Klassic 170". Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2015.