TYPE: Tandem seat ultralight/kitbuilt.

PROGRAMME: Shadow first flew as prototype in 1983; in production since 1984; type approval to BCAR CAP 482 Section S gained May 1985. Certification of Series E was continuing in 2003.

CURRENT VERSIONS: Series D: Rotax 447 or 503 engine. Dual controls standard. Suitable for cropspraying with 64 litre (16.8 US gallon; 14.0 Imp gallon) chemical tank and multisensor surveillance for photography (Hasselblad survey camera), video recording, linescan or thermal imagery, or closed-circuit TV microwave transmission to a command vehicle/station. Certified to BCAR CAP 482 Section S in 1998.
Series E: As Series D, but with electric starter, long-range fuel tanks and optional 59.6 kW (79.9 hp) Rotax 912 UL four-stroke engine. As described.

CUSTOMERS: Total of 16 Series D and three Series E delivered by June 2001, including one fitted with hand controls for a disabled pilot.

COSTS: Series D: Assembled £19,950. Kit £12,950. Series E: Assembled £23,825. Kit £14,885. (All 2001, with Rotax 582 UL engine; add £2,000 to these prices for Rotax 912 UL).

DESIGN FEATURES: Design stated to have no 'defined stall' and to be unspinnable. Pod-and-boom layout; slightly tapered wings; three vertical stabilisers; sweptback tailplane with large rudder beneath; downturned wingtips. Options include agricultural spraygear and other specialised equipment. Quoted kit assembly time is 500 hours.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual with cable actuation. Frise ailerons; full-span elevator with electrically actuated trim tab; fixed tab on rudder. Three-position flaps; 0, 15 and 30°.

STRUCTURE: Fuselage pod of Araldite-bonded Fibrelam. Wings comprise plywood formed leading-edge built on aluminium and plywood internal shearweb structure. Styrofoam formers provide both leading- and trailing-edge structures. Trailing surfaces covered with polyester cloth. Tailplane and rudder surfaces are polyester cloth-covered aluminium frames. Empennage connected to the monocoque by an aluminium boom.

LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable tricycle type of aluminium and steel; castoring nosewheel; brakes. Options include wheel fairings and floats.

POWER PLANT: One 47.8 kW (64.1 hp) Rotax 582 UL two-stroke driving a three-blade Precision pusher propeller; or one 59.6 kW (79.9 hp) Rotax 912 UL four-stroke, driving a three-blade GSC propeller. Standard fuel capacity (582 UL) 62 litres (16.4 US gallons; 13.6 Imp gallons), (912 UL) 27 litres (7.1 US gallons; 5.9 Imp gallons). Options include a 30 litre (7.9 US gallon; 6.6 Imp gallon) auxiliary fuel tank.

EQUIPMENT: ASI, VSI, altimeter, tachometer, fuel and temperature gauges, slip ball indicator, electric elevator trim and front cockpit brakes standard. Alloy wheels, rear cockpit brakes, intercom, GPS and ballistic parachute recovery system optional. Modified cockpit for disabled pilots comprises combined throttle/roll hand control on left console, sidestick controller for pitch/rudder on right console, each with hand-operated brake lever.