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: II SL: (SL = Sport Light) Standard version, as described.
II SC: (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 (latest figure disclosed).
COSTS: II SL US$12,995; II SC US$14,195, both without engines (2003).
DESIGN FEATURES: Wings fold for storage and transportation. Quoted build time 100 hours for II SL; 130 hours for II SC. Flightstar FS-II-2 aerofoil section; dihedral 2° 48’; incidence 4°, twist 2°.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Push-pull cables; optional flaps on II SL.
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 II SC 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 II SL. Cabin doors closed by zips.
EQUIPMENT: Optional BRS parachute.
DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:
- Wing span: 9.75 m (32 ft 0 in)
- Length overall: 5.79 m (19 ft 0 in)
- Height overall: 2.39 m (7 ft 10 in)
AREAS:
- Wings, gross: 14.59 m² (157.0 sq ft)
WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS:
- Weight empty: 166 kg (365 lb)
- Max T-O weight: 431 kg (950 lb)
PERFORMANCE (with 37.0 kW; 49.6 hp engine):
- Never-exceed speed (VNE): 83 kt (154 km/h; 96 mph)
- Max operating speed: 74 kt (137 km/h; 85 mph)
- Normal cruising speed: 56 kt (105 km/h; 65 mph)
- Stalling speed: 32 kt (58 km/h; 36 mph)
- Max rate of climb at S/L: 213 m (700 ft)/min
- T-O run: 61 m (200 ft)
- Landing run: 91 m (300 ft)
- Range with max fuel: 156 n miles (289 km; 180 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
