Useful Load--high wing v. low wing

saintlfd · Post by **saintlfd** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:04 am

I have found a few high-wing S/ELSA with useful loads of 600 pounds or more, but nary a low-wing. Does a low-wing require more structure and, thus, more weight in the design?

artp · Post by **artp** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:33 am

From what I have observed most of the low wings are aluminum while the high wings are composit.

drseti · Post by **drseti** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:05 pm

There are exceptions, of course. The new Bristell is a metal low-wing that claims 600 lb useful load. (I flew it at Expo, and it handles like a dream.)

zaitcev · Post by **zaitcev** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:21 pm

I know of a few examples, although of course it may be debated how realistic numbers are.
- Evektor SportStar MAX promises 640 lbs useful load in a stripper model. With sensible equipment it falls to 573 or so.
- Alto ekes out 610 by the book
- Dova Skylark DV-1 was specced to 643

But indeed generally you need a carbon-plasic airplane to push 600 lbs useful comfortably.

saintlfd · Post by **saintlfd** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:11 pm

I first heard of the Skylark 3 or 4 years ago but there has been no p.r. about it for a long time now. Anyone know what's going on with it?

zaitcev · Post by **zaitcev** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:17 am

Craig is kicking still, the current ad at the SkyView website says:

2006 Dova Skylark LSA - Light Sport
790 TT, 790 SNEW
This 2007 factory demo needs a new home so we can make room for the 2011 factory demo.
$89,900

The specs page says 670 lbs useful load (no kidding). It was crazy back then, it's still crazy how light that thing is.

Sport Pilot Talk

Useful Load--high wing v. low wing

Useful Load--high wing v. low wing

Re: Useful Load--high wing v. low wing

Dova Skylark--600 lb useful load low-wing