TYPE: Motor glider.

PROGRAMME: Development nearing completion in late 2002 of modular family known as TSA (two-seat aircraft) and comprising S2 glider (two versions); S6 motor glider (five versions); and S8 motor glider (six versions). S8 announced at ILA, Berlin, May 2000; S6 at Aero '01, Friedrichshafen, April 2001. Deliveries of S6 were scheduled to begin in second quarter 2003; S8, S8-Safari and S15-8 to follow shortly after.

CURRENT VERSIONS: S6: Soaring motor glider with large one-piece canopy, fixed tricycle landing gear and naturally aspirated Rotax 912 S engine. Suitable for towing gliders of up to 750 kg (1,653 lb) MTOW.
S6-L: As S6 except for lower MTOW.
S6-T: As S6, but turbocharged Rotax 914 F engine.
S6-R: As S6, but fully retractable tricycle landing gear.
S6-RT: As S6, but turbocharged Rotax 914 F and retractable tricycle landing gear.
S8: Touring motor glider with roomier cockpit and door on each side; otherwise as S6.
S8-T: As S8, but turbocharged Rotax 914 F.
S8-R: As S8, but retractable tricycle landing gear.
S8-RT: As S8, but turbocharged Rotax 914 F and retractable tricycle landing gear.
S8-Safari: Derivative of S8, S8-R, S8-T or S8-RT with hardpoints and underwing pods for semi-professional use.
S15-8: Light reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft for manned or MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) unmanned (UAV) missions. Derived from S8-T or S8-RT for governmental or commercial applications. Hardpoints for external loads; quick-change underwing mission equipment pods.

DESIGN FEATURES: Based on platform strategy with S10 design principles, including proven propulsion system with mid-mounted engine, driveshaft and front propeller. New features include non-retractable constant-speed propeller with feathering for soaring mode, tricycle landing gear and task-adapted, low-drag aerodynamics. In area of wing/fuselage junction a geometric twist is combined with specially designed turbulent flow aerofoils, which minimise separations of boundary layer. Ease of maintenance through rapid change potential of power plant (engine, from drive flange to end of muffler, is mounted on a subframe), landing gear and propeller driveshaft group. Innovative engine installation offers upward exhaust emission for a noise level far below international limit.

FLYING CONTROLS: Primary controls (elevator, ailerons, rudder) conventional and manual; full dual controls. Secondary controls (flaps, trim, airbrakes). Electric trim. Manually actuated flaps. Advanced flap/aileron linkage for middle and outer wing control surfaces. Schempp-Hirth airbrakes in outer wings.

STRUCTURE: CFRP wings in three sections, plus winglets. Wing detachable from fuselage; CFRP tailcone and tail unit mounted to centre steel framework accommodating engine and landing gear; safety cockpit with different types of composites.

LANDING GEAR: Tricycle type; fixed or electrically actuated fully retractable (see Current Versions). Former has speed fairings on all wheels.

POWER PLANT: Except T and RT versions: One 73.5 kW (98.6 hp) Rotax 912 S flat-four engine, mounted on subframe aft of cockpit and driving a two-blade (optionally three-blade) constant-speed propeller via a CFRP extension shaft and a reduction gear.
T and RT versions: One 84.5 kW (113.3 hp) turbocharged Rotax 914 F flat-four; otherwise as described in preceding paragraph.
Standard fuel capacity of all versions 70 litres (18.5 US gallons; 15.4 Imp gallons); optional capacity 140 litres (37.0 US gallons; 30.8 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot and passenger/student side by side in S6, under single-piece, forward-hinged canopy. More spacious cockpit in S8 versions, with door each side.

SYSTEMS: As described for S10.

AVIONICS: Comms: VHF radio and intercom.
Flight: VOR; GPS; ATC transponder.
Instrumentation: Moving map; soaring computer.