Urban Air's Lambada appeared at the US Sport Aviation show in Sebring, Florida
"It is truly a universal S-LSA [special light sport aircraft], that can be flown as a motorised cruiser at 190km/h [350kt] or as a 49ft [15m] wingspan motor glider with the glide ratio of 30:1," says Lombada. Company officials say it is "one of a kind", and its thin, elongated fuselage and wings support that claim.
The aircraft earned S-LSA approval on 7 January, and 102 models are flying worldwide to date.
The wing span is 42ft, and adjusting a handle between the seats deploy the included standard wingtip extenders, extending the span to 49ft. The 912 Rotax engine will achieve climb rates of 1600ft/min and can be shut down for soaring flight. While technically not an adjustable pitch prop, a handle in the cockpit changes a spring-loaded prop to full feather for lower drag during soaring flight.
After landing, the wings and the horizontal stabiliser can be removed for storage alongside the fuselage on two gear wing cradles. During flight, 45kg (100lb) of baggage fit under the wing.
Range with 100 litres (26USgal) of fuel is more than 1,480km (800nm). Useful load is 600lb.
A Magnum Ballistic Parachute MBP 601 S-LSA is included as standard safety equipment.
In July last year Urban Air announced it would build a facility by 2009 near Usti nad Orlici airport in the Czech Republic, where Lambada, SambaXXL and future aircraft designs will be produced.
In April last year the company became a subsidiary of Luxembourg parent company Zetag.
More articles from Sebring...
Source: FlightGlobal.com
