Flywhale Aircraft Flywhale
| Flywhale | |
|---|---|
| Role | Sports amphibian |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Flywhale Aircraft |
| First flight | 13 September 2013 |
| Number built | 2 (2015) |
| Unit cost |
€152,000 basic in September 2015[1] |
The Flywhale Aircraft Flywhale is a two-seat amphibious sports aircraft designed and built in Germany by Flywhale Aircraft.
Design and development
The Flywhale, built mainly from composite materials, is a flying boat style amphibian, with a single step hull and sponsons rather than wing tip floats. It accommodates two in side-by-side seating fitted with dual control.[2] A large, one-piece canopy hinges forward for access[1] and there are separate, removable side windows. Behind the seats is a baggage area. The Flywhale has short-legged, tricycle landing gear[2] with mainwheels retracting backwards into the sponsons.[1]
Its high cantilever wings are trapezoidal in plan and can be removed for transport. Its empennage is cruciform, with the horizontal tail part-way up a triangular fin and rudder. A 54.8 kW (73.5 hp) Rotax 912 ULS flat-four engine is mounted on a necked pylon over the wing in tractor configuration.[2] This originally drove a two blade propeller[2] but more recently a three-bladed one has replaced it.[1] A BRS ballistic parachute is an option.[2]
The Flywhale flew for the first time on 13 September 2013.[2] A second airframe has been completed, including modifications suggested by the flight trials of the first,[2] and this flew in the summer of 2015.[1]
Variants
- Adventure
- Standard version as in Specifications
- Expedition
- Fuel capacity increased to 170 l (37 imp gal; 45 US gal) with tanks in sponsons, extending endurance to 10 hr 0 min and range to 2,000 km (1,200 mi). Both seats recline. Fresh water storage in sponsons.
Specifications (Adventure)
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2015-16[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: One passenger
- Length: 6.45 m (21 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 9.00 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.35 m (7 ft 9 in)
- Empty weight: 315 kg (694 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 495 kg (1,091 lb) without rescue parachute
- Fuel capacity: 110 l (24 imp gal; 29 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 ULS flat-four, 73.5 kW (98.6 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed , variable pitch
Performance
- Cruising speed: 200 km/h (124 mph; 108 kn)
- Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph; 35 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 264 km/h (164 mph; 143 kn)
- Endurance: 6 hr 0 min
- g limits: +4/-2