Sport Pilot Talk

Cub flyer · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 593

Anyone flying one of the Pipistrel airplanes. Virus SW?

RyanShort1 · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 101 Location: San Antonio, TX

Not right now, but a group I've towed for is supposed to be getting one very soon.

Ryan

Cub flyer · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 593

I'd like to know how it flies. It seems to be a very nice airplane from the NASA cafe tests and other personal reports. They just don't seem to be able to get any press even after winning the CAFE challenge. Maybe a name change would help?

RyanShort1 · Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Posts: 101 Location: San Antonio, TX

When it gets here I'm pretty interested in flying it. I'll probably ask for an opportunity to. I'm an instructor at Boerne Stage Airfield and have towed gliders for the glider operation a bit. I'll have to see if I can fly it.

Ryan

Jonas · Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

I've got one!

It flies great.
Yeah, I know... the name sucks.

but when I literally fly circles around all of my buddies in their GA, at less than half the fuel burn, people get over the name, and the homebuilt category pretty quick.

I'm in Whitecourt, Alberta, Canada.

I built a 400 hour kit, it took me 6 months, and pretty much exactly 400 hours.

I can send some photos if you like, or if you join the yahoo pipistrel builders group, you can view some of my photos there.

I signed up to be a dealer after I took one for a ride

my email is jonasboll@me.com
Jonas Boll[/img]

Cub flyer · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 593

I drove through Whitecourt a couple times. Back and forth to AK for summer job. I stopped at the Nanton air museum to see the Lancaster. I think we spent the night in Whitecourt at the grocery store in the RV.

I'll look up the pipistrel yahoo group. If you can post some photos here that would be great.

I'd like to fly one but there just are not too many around PA. Maybe if I get to Sebring this winter.

I think they would do a lot better if they changed the name. Marketing is everything. Look at the Kitfox vs Avid Flyer.

At least it's not a Hanuman. I had flying monkeys on the side of my X air.
I guess it's the Hindu god of mischief.

Jonas · Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

Try this link for some photos...

http://gallery.me.com/jonasboll/100163

I went to the factory in Slovenia. It was very impressive.

Cub flyer · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 593

Great photos. I really like the tube structure in the cabin top. It's a weak point on some designs.

I wish they would put a small section of flat floor behind the rudder pedals on the copilot side. CT had the same problem. Nowhere to put your feet when not flying.

I wonder if the Virus SW still could be registered as a motorglider? You could fly it after a failed medical.

Pipistrel appears to have the empty weight under control. What did yours weigh when finished?

Jonas · Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

for the passenger's feet, most people can set the adjustable pedals to full forward, and then can't even reach them, and if they do have really long legs, they can pull the tops of the pedals slightly toward them, then set their feet on the base of the pedals. The way the cables are attached to the pedals makes it so when I push for rudder, the other pedals don't move. Also, the only time I really use the pedals are on taxi, takeoff, and landing.

the Short Wing, with the 80 hp rotax has a feathering prop, with a 17-1 glide ratio, and can be registered as a motorglider, the 100 hp propellor doesn't feather, but I think it can still be registered as a motorglider too, (15-1 glide)

mine weighs 690 lbs. I went all out with instruments, and have the parachute installed. I put on larger tires for some bush flying, which added 13 more lbs and slowed me down to about 135 knots. I'll switch back to the small tires with wheel pants once all of the snow melts.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1387 Location: Lock Haven PA

Jonas wrote: the only time I really use the pedals are on taxi, takeoff, and landing.

I haven't flown the aircraft in question, so I can only speak in general terms. But, if you're not leading with the rudder pedals in every turn, you're probably flying uncoordinated, experiencing adverse yaw, and throwing yourself and your passenger sideways. Your flight instructor should be flogged! :wink:

Jonas · Joined: 21 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

Ha! No. It's pretty stable, and I'm pretty easy going on the turns. I had a challenger II for my first plane, and it flew with a little aileron and as much rudder as possible.
The Virus manual actually says to leave the rudder alone when cruising over 80 knots. I will give a very slight amount of pressure for steeper turns of over 30 degrees, but for normal flight, I can leave the pedals alone and the ball stays centered.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1387 Location: Lock Haven PA

Jonas wrote: for normal flight, I can leave the pedals alone and the ball stays centered.

Sounds like a pretty well rigged airplane. Enjoy it (but don't let your feet get too lazy -- you may have to fly something else sometime...)