The Aviasud Sirocco is a single-seat
ultralight
Ultralight aviation (called microlight aviation in some countries) is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircraft. Some countries differentiate between weight-shift control and conventional three-axis control aircraft with ailer ...
available in
kit or fully assembled form and originally produced by
Aviasud Engineering
Aviasud Engineering was a French aviation company that specialized in composite lightweight aircraft.
From 1980, it produced:
*The 1983 Aviasud Sirocco
The Aviasud Sirocco is a single-seat ultralight available in kit or fully assembled form ...
in 1983. It is of pod-and-boom design with tricycle undercarriage and
pusher configuration
In an aircraft with a pusher configuration (as opposed to a tractor configuration), the propeller(s) are mounted behind their respective engine(s). Since a pusher propeller is mounted behind the engine, the drive shaft is in compression in nor ...
. The fuselage is of
composite
Composite or compositing may refer to:
Materials
* Composite material, a material that is made from several different substances
** Metal matrix composite, composed of metal and other parts
** Cermet, a composite of ceramic and metallic materials
...
construction. In 1984, one was flown by
Patrice Franceschi
Patrice Franceschi (born December 18, 1954 in Toulon) is a French adventurer.
Franceschi is also a writer, a documentary & film maker, a sailor and a pilot. He has been awarded several medals and distinctions. Patrice Franceschi was also at the or ...
in a circumnavigation of the earth.
[Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al.: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 12. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X]
In 1989, manufacture transferred to
Aériane in Belgium. In 2007, the rights to the Sirocco were acquired by
Aero Consult Light Aircraft, who have redesigned the tailplane and wings and who re-launched the aircraft as the
AC Sirocco nG. The first flight of the nG prototype for this was in May 2009. The Sirocco NG is available as a kit, or in its lighter version (FAR 103/SSDR) fully built.
[Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al.: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 12. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ]
Description
The aircraft has two wings which can be dismounted for transport. The leading edge box consists of a spar and fibreglass leading edge, supplemented by an alloy rear strut. The wing profile is defined by preformed aluminum ribs. The trailing edge spar is laminated fiberglass. These three elements are interconnected by compression rods, cables and ribs, and ensure the shape and tension of the fabric coating for good aerodynamic efficiency. The coating is "Bainbridge" Dacron, 170 gr/m
2. Once in place on the fuselage, cables and a kingpost stay the two wings.
The fuselage and vertical fin are made of a fiberglass-polyester structure consisting of 2 half shells molded and stiffened by frames and smoothed to have a lightweight structure with an aerodynamic shape. Once completed they are assembled by gluing, which ensures rigidity.
The landing gear is made from glass-epoxy. The main gear is flexible; the front axle is steerable and has a brake drum. The steering control is a lever on the right of the cockpit, with locking in a neutral position.
The two stroke-type engine may have a power ranging from
König SC 430
The König SC 430 is a three-cylinder, two-stroke, single ignition radial aircraft engine designed for powered paragliders and single place ultralight trikes.Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page G-5 Cybair L ...
RD to
Rotax 447
The Rotax 447 is a , inline 2-cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine, built by BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG of Austria for use in ultralight aircraft.Raisner, William: ''LEAF catlog'', pages 6-105. Leading Edge Airfoils, 1995.
Design and development
...
, and is mounted on the rear of the central mast. Starting is manual.
The pilot is in a recumbent position in the cockpit.
The canopy is removable; flights are possible without the canopy in hot weather. For the winter there is an electric heater. The pilot is kept in his seat by a 3-point belt; the seat is fixed, but the rudder pedals are adjustable (3 positions) depending on the size of the pilot. The mini control stick is central.
One-piece tailplane (fully mobile/all-flying) controlled by rigid rods and ball joints. A trim tab helps balance the machine at all speeds, to improve comfort for long flights.
Specifications (Sirocco)
See also
*
E-Go
The e-Go Aeroplanes e-Go, originally known as the E-Plane, is a British ultralight and light-sport aircraft that was designed by Giotto Castelli, that was being developed by e-Go Aeroplanes of Cambridge and since May 2017, by GioCAS Aero ...
References
External links
ParaZoom—the current manufacturer of the SiroccoParaZoom—Sirocco Homepage , the current manufacturer of the SiroccoThe Sirocco Microlight
€”description, images, early articles, ''etc.''
€”the Sirocco that toured the world
{{aircontent,
, related=
, similar aircraft=
, sequence=
, lists=
, see also=
1980s French ultralight aircraft
Homebuilt aircraft
Single-engined pusher aircraft