Letov ST-4 Aztek

ST-4 Aztek
Role Microlight aircraft
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Letov Kbely
Status Production completed
Number built 15 (1998)
Unit cost
US$12,970 (kit, including instruments and engine, 1998)

The Letov ST-4 Aztek (English: Aztec) is a Czech microlight aircraft that was designed and produced by Letov Kbely of Prague - Letňany, in the 1990s. When it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft, or as a kit for amateur construction.[1]

In January 2014 the ST-4 was no longer listed as a product of the company.[2]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The ST-4 Aztek features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants, a small tail skid and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]

The aircraft is made from aluminum tubing with fairings made from fibreglass and its flying surfaces covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 10.40 m (34.1 ft) span wing, mounts flaps and has a wing area of 15.21 m2 (163.7 sq ft). The wings are supported by "V" struts with jury struts and the empennage is cable-braced. The acceptable power range is 45 to 50 hp (34 to 37 kW) and the standard engine used is the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 two-stroke powerplant. The engine is mounted high above the cockpit on the front end of the aluminum tube that acts as the tail boom.[1]

The ST-4 Aztek has a typical empty weight of 220 lb (100 kg) and a gross weight of 450 lb (200 kg), giving a useful load of 230 lb (100 kg). With full fuel of 57 litres (13 imp gal; 15 US gal) the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is 189 kg (417 lb).[1]

The manufacturer estimated the construction time from the supplied kit as 80 hours.[1]

Operational history

By 1998 the company reported that 26 kits had been sold and 15 aircraft were completed and flying.[1]

Specifications (ST-4 Aztek)

Data from AeroCrafter[1]

General characteristics

Performance

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 195. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  2. Letov Kbely (n.d.). "Products". Retrieved 11 January 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Letov aircraft.