| Fk14 Polaris | |
|---|---|
| Role | Two seat sports ultralight |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | B&F Technik Vertrieb gmbh, Speyer |
| First flight | May 1999 |
| Status | In production |
| Number built | 90 by September 2008 |
The B&F Fk14 Polaris is a single engine, low wing ultralight aircraft which seats two side-by side. Designed in Germany in the late 1990s, it remains in production.
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Design of the B&F Fk14 Polaris, sometimes known as the Funk Fk 14 Polaris but not by its makers,[1] began in 1998. It first flew in May 1999 and started in production the next year. It is a low wing, single engine ultralight, with enclosed accommodation for two. seated side-by side. Its largely glass fibre (carbon on the Fk14B variant) wing is mostly of parallel chord but toward the tips, where short span aluminium ailerons occupy the trailing edges, the leading edge is swept. Electrically operated Fowler flaps are fitted. Four flap settings are available: +0°, +10°, +20° and +32°. The wingtips incorporate short winglets. The fin and rudder are gently swept; the rudder is deep, reaching the lower fuselage line and moving in a cut-out between the elevators. These rear flying surfaces are mass balanced. The Polaris has spring trimmed controls.[2]
Until 2007 B&F offered a choice of steel framed or monocoque fuselage structures, but since then have only produced the latter. The occupants sit side-by-side under a single piece, forward hinged canopy. The standard undercarriage is of tricycle configuration, though a conventional undercarriage is an option. The main legs are fuselage mounted spring cantilevers and the nosewheel is steerable. All wheels are spatted. The Polaris may be fitted with a ballistic parachute (BRS 5) as an option.[2]
There is a choice between two of the Rotax 912 series flat four cylinder engines: either the 60 kW (80 hp) 912 UL or the 74 kW (99 hp) 912 ULS may be fitted. These drive 3 blade, ground adjustable pitch propellers.[2]
The 90th Polaris was completed in September 2008. In mid-2010, the European registers (excluding Russia) listed 72 aircraft.[3]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010/11[2]
General characteristics
Performance
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