The Gannet is an evolution of the Mascato S100 which was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a cantilever high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, under a forward-hinged bubble canopy, wing-tip pontoons and a single engine in pusher configuration. As a true flying boat, it has no wheeled landing gear.^[1][2]

The Gannet is made entirely from carbon fibre, Kevlar and fibreglass composites. Its 12.4 m (40.7 ft) span wing has an area of 12.0 m² (129 sq ft) and flaps that can be deployed for landing and reflexed for cruise flight. The long wingspan gives the aircraft a good glide ratio and allows power-off soaring flights. The standard engine is the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS four-stroke powerplant and the aircraft can accept engines of 60 to 100 hp (45 to 75 kW).^[1][2][3]

An amphibious development became the Freedom S100.^[1]

Mascato S100

Early version with empty weight of 270 kg (600 lb) and gross weight of 450 kg (990 lb).^[1]

Gannet S100

Later version with empty weight of 325 kg (717 lb) and gross weight of 650 kg (1,430 lb), along with vertical stabilizers added to the tailplane.^[2][3]

Data from Bertrand^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Wingspan: 12.4 m (40 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: 12.0 m² (129 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 240 kg (529 lb)
• Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 140 litres (31 imp gal; 37 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS four cylinder, liquid and air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 75 kW (101 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 260 km/h (160 mph, 140 kn)
• Cruise speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)
• Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
• Rate of climb: 5 m/s (980 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 37.5 kg/m² (7.7 lb/sq ft)

• Official website