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The Pipistrel (which means BAT) Sinus (pronounced Sin -
us) and Virus
(Vear-us) are composite two-seater motor gliders made from
Kevlar and Carbon Fiber composite materials.
The planes are currently available as experimental
category racing and exhibition, or as 51% kits for amateur
builder and will be certified under the light sport
category when it is finalized.
Under the 51% kit the craft will take about 400 hours to
complete, with all of the major bonding, and wing
sub-assemblies done at the factory.
When ordered ready to fly each plane is test flown and
certified before leaving the factory in Slovenia.
The Sinus can be powered by the Rotax 503 and 912
engines and the Virus with the Rotax 912.
Powered by the Rotax 912 the Sinus has a range of
650 nautical miles with the standard fuel tanks.
When
complete and powered by a 912 Rotax engine both craft will
cruise along in the 130 mph range, climb out at over 1,000
feet per minute and stall with flaps at 38 mph.
Cabin width is 43 inches, controls are standard stick and
rudder with flaperons, with pushrods going to the ailerons
and elevator and cables to the rudder.
The two aircraft have identical fuselages - the difference
is in the length of the wing the Sinus has a 40 foot wing
span while the Virus has a 38 foot span.
Currently over 135 are
flying. |