New Airplane Seen

[Old, Fat and Hairy]

Names?

Mako

Marlin

Peregrine

Bluefin

[johnsa]

The prototype was developed and built in Germiston, right next to Aviation Engines and Accessories (Rotax dealership).

So its proudly SA, does it contains also a high portion of local components?

[aircraftworx]

We tried our best to make it as "Proudly South African" as we can - but realistically, most of it is still imported material.

You simply do not get the appropriate quality of aluminium (6061-T6), or fasteners (AN) manufactured locally. The ballistic parachute (GRS) is also imported.

We did put in two Enigma instruments from MGL Avionics in the Western Cape.

[vliegvark]

Must say she looks super cool and I think Kestrel is a good name but I am sure you'll get a good name

[johnsa]

We tried our best to make it as "Proudly South African" as we can - but realistically, most of it is still imported material.

You simply do not get the appropriate quality of aluminium (6061-T6), or fasteners (AN) manufactured locally. The ballistic parachute (GRS) is also imported.

We did put in two Enigma instruments from MGL Avionics in the Western Cape.

A optifuel is an other good proudly SA product I believe if you read the comments on this board or is it already in

[AndyCAP]

Lovely looking plane!!

Truely hope you guys have taken the larger SA guys into consideration in your design. (alas from the pics it looks like a 6'7" bloke like myself will battle to fit )

Get your design sorted out, proven and certfied and then perhaps you guys can consider latching onto Vliegvark and Oupa G for the alternative to the Rattex powerplant? In all fairness Rotax is a very good option - but pricing is quickly making it unfeasable for recreational flyers IMHO. We need cost effective alternatives and as such i would recommend that local kit makers at least consider designing for alternatives such as Jabiru, BMW and others.

Keep the info coming please!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

PRICE PRICE PRICE........ GIMME GIMME GIMME... (Not that I can afford 1 though )

[aircraftworx]

Sorry to keep you waiting, RV4ker, we're working on getting the price finalised ASAP (afterall, performance only matters if you know you can afford it!). One thing I can say is that kits will be sold in stages, allowing the builder to get on with the job while saving for the next sub-kit.

The cabin size was designed around myself (6'4", 100kg), with the idea of LOOONG cross-country comfort a priority. Shoulder width of the cabin is 44.2" (1122mm).

Regarding the powerplant options - you can't exactly expect Mike Blyth (whos project this is) to offer it with a compettitor's powerplant...This project and the Rotax engine have been joined at the hip since the word go, but being a kit, the builder is free to do his own thing! Once we have tested the upper end of performance, I will work out the smallest herd of ponies required.

[johnsa]

Factory built I guess 650.000 depending on the power plant and avionics one make a bet?

[aircraftworx]

Close, maybe a little pessimistic...

[Rudix]

Sorry to keep you waiting, RV4ker, we're working on getting the price finalised ASAP (afterall, performance only matters if you know you can afford it!). One thing I can say is that kits will be sold in stages, allowing the builder to get on with the job while saving for the next sub-kit.

The cabin size was designed around myself (6'4", 100kg), with the idea of LOOONG cross-country comfort a priority. Shoulder width of the cabin is 44.2" (1122mm).

Regarding the powerplant options - you can't exactly expect Mike Blyth (whos project this is) to offer it with a compettitor's powerplant...This project and the Rotax engine have been joined at the hip since the word go, but being a kit, the builder is free to do his own thing! Once we have tested the upper end of performance, I will work out the smallest herd of ponies required.

Hmmm, sounds great ! And the fact that it is proudly SA makes it even better !

If you need some professional photos taken just shout !

I can understand that Mike wants to use a Rotax, but I am sure it will fly even better with the Jabiru 3300, ask the Americans who has discovered this engine for the cleaner planes that don't need a geared engine.

Looking forward to hearing more, this could be a great alternative for the RV I am considering.

Well done guys
Fly safe,
Rudi

[Tiff1]

The prototype was developed and built in Germiston, right next to Aviation Engines and Accessories (Rotax dealership).

How about Essex or just SX (after David Essex and his song - "The silver dream machine")

[Choppie]

looks a lot like a great white shark. The take-off pic and the avitar makes me think of a great white - especially with the intakes placed the way it is.

[aircraftworx]

Keep a lookout in SA Flyer for name suggestion competition - we've got to reward the winner somehow!

(Note: the engine cowl might change - unless there is overwhelming demand that it doesn't. The sharp lines might cost a couple of knots at the high end... )

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Looking forward to hearing more, this could be a great alternative for the RV I am considering.

Say it isn't so