JIHLAVAN KP-5 ASA RAPID 500

US marketing name: KP-5 Kappa

TYPE: Side-by-side ultralight/kitbuilt; two-seat lightplane.

PROGRAMME: Developed from Kappa’s earlier KP-2U Sova, with financial backing from Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade. Prototype first flew December 2003; first public display at Narromine, Australia, in 2004. Czech certification received 29 March 2004, Australian certification during early 2004. FAA LSA approval gained 19 July 2005.

CURRENT VERSIONS: KP-5 ASA Rapid 500: Available as Master baseline version and Major, with additional avionics and features; as described.
KP-5 Kappa: Marketed in US by Kappa Aircraft of Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania as factory-built LSA with 59.6 kW (79.9 hp) Rotax 912 or 73.5 kW (98.6 hp) Rotax 912S or 59.7 kW (80 hp) Jabiru 2200 or 89 kW (120 hp) Jabiru 3300 flat-four and 64 litre (17.0 US gallon; 14.2 Imp gallon) fuel capacity.

CUSTOMERS: Total of 16 aircraft sold to customers in Australia, South Africa and USA by end-2005.

COSTS: Master EUR62,800; Major EUR68,000; both flyaway, excluding taxes (2006).

DESIGN FEATURES: As KP-2U Rapid; conforms to Czech UL2 ultralight and most European equivalents at reduced MTOW, but optimised for Australian and US (LSA) markets.

FLYING CONTROLS: As KP-2U Rapid.

STRUCTURE: All-metal, two-spar wing and fuselage with CFRP cockpit frame.

LANDING GEAR: Tricycle-type; fixed. Optional spats. Rubber shock-absorption; steerable nosewheel; hydraulic brakes.

POWER PLANT: As KP-2U Rapid, but options cover 912 ULS and 914 only, plus Jabiru 2200. Fuel capacity as KP-2U Rapid, with option to increase to 94 litres (24.8 US gallons; 20.7 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: As KP-2U Rapid.

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL (As KP-2U Rapid, except):

  • Height overall: fixed gear: 2.46 m (8 ft 0¾ in)
    • retractable gear: 2.60 m (8 ft 6¼ in)
  • Propeller diameter: 1,73 m (5 ft 8 in)

WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:

  • Weight empty: 320 kg (705 lb)
  • Baggage capacity: 30 kg (66 lb)
  • Max T-O weight: Czech Republic: 472,5 kg (1,041 lb)
    • Australia, USA: 544 kg (1,199 lb)

PERFORMANCE (Rotax 912S engine):

  • Never-exceed speed (VNE): 141 kt (260 km/h; 162 mph)
  • Max level speed: 120 kt (222 km/h; 138 mph)
  • Cruising speed: 99 kt (183 km/h; 114 mph)
  • Stalling speed: 33 kt (62 km/h; 38 mph)
  • Max rate of climb at S/L: 335 m (1,100 ft)/min
  • T-O run: 139 m (455 ft)
  • Range: 338 n miles (627 km; 390 miles)