Flight Design CTSW
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The CT2K and CTSW are aircraft from by Flight Design in Germany. The aircraft can be flown under the microlight/ultralight regulations of several countries as well as the USA FAA Light-sport Aircraft rules and the European EASA Very Light Aircraft rules. Both aircraft are high-wing designs using a Rotax 912S engine in a tractor configuration (the 80 Hp 912 is sometimes used instead of the 100 Hp 912S). The main difference between the CT2K and CTSW is the shorter wingspan of the CTSW and the redesigned wingtips. This results in higher cruise speeds for the CTSW while maintaining similar stall speeds.
Both aircraft are of composite construction, with carbon fiber being the primary material. This results in a very aerodynamic shape to the fuselage and very high useful loads (almost equal to the weight of the aircraft itself). The CTSW is so efficient that it needs to have the pitch of the propeller reduced significantly to stay within the 120 kt maximum speed of the American Light-sport Aircraft (LSA) rules; in other countries, the CTSW has a higher cruising speed.
The CTSW is reported to be somewhat more challenging to fly than other LSA, owing to the higher wing loading and low drag; the low drag increases speed but requires additional planning in the decent. The control forces are light and, like most LSA, rudder coordination is necessary, owing to the close coupling of the taiplane. FlightDesign increased the size of the tailplane and control surfaces for the 2006 model year, giving improved directional control at lower speeds.
Landings require proper training. The airplane flies in a nose-down attitude with the flaps at 30 or 40 degrees, meaning that the pilot must be aggressive in the flare. However, if the stick is held back to far, the airplane will balloon, climb, and then sink rapidly as airspeed bleeds off. The best solution appears to be to carry power into the flare when using 30 or 40 degrees flaps, and to normally land with 15 degrees flaps.
As of November 2006, there are more than 90 CTSW registered in the US.
[edit] Specifications (CTSW)
[edit] General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m)
- Wingspan: 27 ft 11 in (8.50 m)
- Height: 7 ft 1 in (2.15 m)
- Wing area: 107 ft² (9.94 m²)
- Typical Empty weight: 700 lb (318 kg)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 1,320 lb (600 kg) US LSA; varies in other countries
- Fuel capacity: 33 gal usable (125 l)
- Baggage capacity: 110 lb (50 kg)
- Powerplant: 1x Rotax 912S, 100 hp (75 kW) - 80 Hp version is sometimes used.
[edit] Performance
- Maximum speed: 138 mph (230 km/h)
- Range: 621 miles (1000 km)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
- Rate of climb: 960 ft/min (4.9 m/s)
- Wing loading: 12.3 lb/ft² (61 kg/m²)
- Power loading: 13.2 lb/hp