TYPE: Side-by-side ultralight kitbuilt.
PROGRAMME: Originally designed by Pioneer International; construction of prototype Flightstar started 1992; first flight 1993. Certified to German BFU-95 standards 1997; also certified in Australia. SL version introduced in 1995.
CURRENT VERSIONS: IISL: (SL = Sport Light) Standard version, as described.
IISC: (SC= Sport Cabin) Introduced 1999; cabin version with doors for cold-weather operations.
CUSTOMERS: Over 1,000 of original Flightstar II built. Current version orders total more than 400, of which 375 were flying by mid-2001.
COSTS: IISL US$12,925; IISC US$14,195, both without engines (2003).
DESIGN FEATURES: Wings fold for storage and transporation. Quoted build time 100 hours for IISL; 130 hours for IISC. Flightstar FS-II-2 aerofoil section; dihedral 2o 48’; incidence 4o, twist 2o.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Push-pull cables; optional flaps on IISL.
STRUCTURE: 6061-T6 aluminium tube spar, strut-braced wing with Dacron covering; Five-ply Mylar covering optional. Composites-covered chromoly 4130 steel fuselage cage with stainless steel brackets; engine attached to heavy-duty aluminium tube running length of aircraft; all metal parts anodised to obviate painting. Strut-braced, low-mounted tailplane.
LANDING GEAR: Tricycle type; fixed; steerable nosewheel. Azusa wheels and optional drum brakes. Tyres size 13 in nose; 15 in main. Shock cord absorption. Optional Full Lotus floats.
POWER PLANT: One 37.0 kW (49.6 hp) Rotax 503 UL-2V driving three-blade Powerfin propeller; optional engines include 47.8 kW (64.1 hp) Rotax 582 UL and 44.7 kW (60.0 hp) four-stroke HKS 700E; latter is standard on IISC and has 3,47:1 gearbox reduction. Fuel capacity 37.9 litres (10.0 US gallons; 8.3 Imp gallons), of which 36.0 litres (9.5 US gallons; 7.9 Imp gallons) usable.
ACCOMMODATION: Fastback fabric rear fairing fitted to IISL. Cabin doors closed by zips.
EQUIPMENT: Optional BRS parachute.