Summary
The Bilsam Sky Cruiser is a Polish microlight aircraft designed and produced by Bilsam Aviation of Poznań, introduced in the early 2000s. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft, as a kit and in the form of plans for amateur construction.[1]
| Sky Cruiser | |
|---|---|
| Role | Microlight, Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplane and light sport aircraft |
| National origin | Poland |
| Manufacturer | Bilsam Aviation |
| Introduction | early 2000s |
| Developed into | BOT SC07 Speed Cruiser |
The manufacturer's website is non-functional and has been so since about 2008, so it is not clear if the company is still in business.[2]
Design and development edit
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 aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). With a Rotax 912 ULS engine it is an accepted US light sport aircraft and also a Transport Canada accepted Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplane.[1][3][4]
Originally shown as a pusher configuration design in 2003, by 2004 the aircraft had been redesigned. In its production configuration the Sky Cruiser features a cantilever high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cabin with doors for access, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]
The aircraft is made from composite material. Its 9.0 m (29.5 ft) span wing mounts flaps and has a wing area of 10.35 m2 (111.4 sq ft). The standard engine used is the 100 hp (75 kW) Suzuki automotive conversion powerplant.[1]
The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 250 kg (550 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (990 lb), giving a useful load of 200 kg (440 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is 157 kg (346 lb).[1]
The Sky Cruiser was redesigned by BOT Aircraft as the BOT SC07 Speed Cruiser.[5]
Operational history edit
In June 2015 one example was registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration and two in Canada registered with Transport Canada.[6][7]
Specifications (Sky Cruiser) edit
Data from Bertrand[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 10.35 m2 (111.4 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 7.82:1
- Empty weight: 250 kg (551 lb)
- Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Suzuki four cylinder, liquid-cooled, four stroke automotive engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed composite, ground adjustable
Performance
- Maximum speed: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
- Cruise speed: 208 km/h (129 mph, 112 kn)
- Stall speed: 64 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
- Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 43.5 kg/m2 (8.9 lb/sq ft)
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 128. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ "Bilsam Aviation". Internet Archive Wayback Machine. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (30 April 2015). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ Transport Canada (21 May 2015). "Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ Bushell, Susan; Willis, David; Winchester, Jim (2017). Jane's All the World's Aircraft Development & Production (2017-2018). IHS Market. p. 515. ISBN 978-0-7106-3250-0.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (2 June 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ Transport Canada (2 June 2015). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
External links edit
- Official website
- Photo of a Sky Cruiser