INTERPLANE SKYBOY

TYPE: Side-by-side ultralight/kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: Prototype designed and flown 1993; entered production 1994; conforms to Czech UL-2 and German BFU-DULV standards. Certified in Czech Republic (1994) , France (1996), Slovak Republic and Germany (excluding noise tests, 1999). Current EX and UL versions introduced in 1999. New canopy design permits operation without doors for hot-weather flying.

CURRENT VERSIONS: Skyboy: Initial version, with Rotax 503 or 582 engine as standard; no longer produced.
Skyboy S: Reinforced version for higher MTOW and speeds; Rotax 582 engine and choice of wing spans; no longer produced.
Skyboy EX: Standard version from 1999; for European customers; also for customers in Australia and USA, where it is classified in the FAA Experimental category.
Skyboy UL: Specially lightened (empty weight 225 kg; 496 lb) to meet US FAR Pt 103 ultralight trainer regulations.

CUSTOMERS: Total of 58 registered by late 2002.

COSTS: UL: flyaway US$21,900 (2003).

Description applies to Skyboy UL

DESIGN FEATURES: High, constant-chord wing, boom-mounted empennage and pusher propeller. Available factory-built or (with or without power plant and instruments) as kit. Wing struts and tail surfaces can be folded for transportation and storge.
Wing aerofoil section NACA 4412; dihedral 1° 30'; incidence 4° 30'. Leading-edges swept forward 2°.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Tabs on rudder and each elevator; flaps optional.

STRUCTURE: Aluminium tube and glass fibre; fabric covering.

LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable tricycle type; coil spring/hydraulic (motorcar-type) shock-absorbers on trailing-link mainwheels and castoring nosewheel; mechanical or hydraulic brakes on nosewheel only. Ski and float gear optional.

POWER PLANT: One 47.8 kW (64.1 hp) Rotax 582 Ul two-cylinder in-line two-stroke engine standard; 59.6 kW (79.9 hp) Rotax 912 UL or 73.5 kW (98.6 hp) Rotax 912 ULS flat-four; Rotax 462, 503 or 618; Hirth 2706; or Verner SVS 1400 optional. Wide choice of two- to six-blade wooden or laminate pusher propellers (three-blade, carbon fibre Junkers Profly standard). Standard fuel capacity 38 litres (10.0 US gallons; 8.4 Imp gallons); optional fuel capacity 57 litres (15.0 US gallons; 12.5 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Optional cabin doors.

EQUIPMENT: Optional Magnum 450 ballistic recovery parachute.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:

  • Wing span: 9.12 m (29 ft 11 in)
  • Length overall: 6.37 m (20 ft 10¾ in)
  • Height overall: 2.13 m (6 ft 11¾ in)

DIMENSIONS, INTERNAL:

  • Cabin max width: 1.20 m (3 ft 11¼ in)

AREAS:

  • Wings, gross: 12.87 m² (138.5 sq ft)

WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:

  • Weight empty, equipped: 225 kg (496 lb)
  • Max T-O weight: 450 kg (992 lb)

PERFORMANCE (Rotax 582):

  • Max level speed: 75 kt (138 km/h; 86 mph)
  • Econ cruising speed: 56 kt (105 km/h; 65 mph)
  • Stalling speed: 34 kt (63 km/h; 40 mph)
  • Max rate of climb at S/L: 244 m (800 ft)/min
  • T-O run: 122 m (400 ft)
  • Landing run: 152 m (500 ft)
  • Range with standard fuel: 108 n miles (201 km; 125 miles)

The article appears in the following publication:
Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2004-2005. Jane's Information Group Ltd. 2004. ISBN: 0-7106-2614-2

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