Aviasud Sirocco
Encyclopedia
The Aviasud Sirocco is a single-seat ultralight available in kit or fully assembled form and originally produced by Aviasud Engineering
in 1983. It is of pod-and-boom design with tricycle undercarriage and pusher configuration
. The fuselage is of composite
construction. In 1984
, one was flown by Patrice Franceschi
in a circumnavigation of the earth.
In 1989, manufacture transferred to Aériane
in Belgium. In 2007, the rights to the Sirocco were acquired by Aero Consult Light Aircraft
, who have redesigned the tailplane and wings and are re-launching the aircraft as the Sirocco NG. The first flight of the prototype for this was in May 2009. The Sirocco NG is available as a kit, or in its lighter version (FAR 103/SSDR) fully built.
The fuselage and vertical fin are made of a fiberglass-polyester structure consisting of 2 half shells molded and stiffened by frames and smoothed to have a lightweight structure with an aerodynamic shape. Once completed they are assembled by gluing, which ensures rigidity.
The landing gear is made from glass-epoxy. The main gear is flexible; the front axle is steerable and has a brake drum. The steering control is a lever on the right of the cockpit, with locking in a neutral position.
The motorcycle-type engine may have a power ranging from 24 HP (Koenig 43ORD) to 40 hp (Rotax 447), and is mounted on the rear of the central mast. Starting is manual.
The pilot is in a recumbent position in the cockpit.
The canopy is removable; flights are possible without the canopy in hot weather. For the winter there is an electric heater. The pilot is kept in his seat by a 3-point belt; the seat is fixed, but the rudder pedals are adjustable (3 positions) depending on the size of the pilot. The mini control stick is central.
One-piece tailplane (fully mobile/all-flying) controlled by rigid rods and ball joints. A trim tab helps balance the machine at all speeds, to improve comfort for long flights.
Aviasud Engineering
Aviasud Engineering was a French company that specialised in composite lightweight aircraft.From 1980, it produced:*The 1983 Aviasud Sirocco ; single-seat parasol monoplane....
in 1983. It is of pod-and-boom design with tricycle undercarriage and pusher configuration
Pusher configuration
In a craft with a pusher configuration the propeller are mounted behind their respective engine. According to Bill Gunston, a "pusher propeller" is one mounted behind engine so that drive shaft is in compression...
. The fuselage is of composite
Composite material
Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct at the macroscopic or...
construction. In 1984
1984 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1984:-February:* February 21 - 14 hours and 2 minutes after taking off from New York, Air France pilot Patrick Fourticq and his companion, race driver Henry Pescarolo, land their Piper Malibu in Paris, setting a world record for a trans-Atlantic flight...
, one was flown by Patrice Franceschi
Patrice Franceschi
Patrice Franeschi was born December 18, 1954. "Adventurer by vocation and reporter out of necessity".He is most famous for his solo around-the-world flight in an Aviasud Sirocco ultralight aeroplane from September 26, 1984 to March 26, 1987...
in a circumnavigation of the earth.
In 1989, manufacture transferred to Aériane
Aériane
Aériane is a Belgian engineering firm based in Gembloux that manufactures aircraft and other structures from composite materials.Currently concentrating on the Aériane Swift, they also built and supported the Aviasud Sirocco before this was taken over by Aero Consult Light Aircraft.The company also...
in Belgium. In 2007, the rights to the Sirocco were acquired by Aero Consult Light Aircraft
Aero Consult Light Aircraft
Aero Consult Light Aircraft is an aircraft manufacturer based in the Netherlands.In 2007, they acquired the rights to the Aviasud Sirocco from Aériane, who wished to concentrate on the Swift glider and PAS. ACLA has redesigned the tailplane and wings and is re-launching the aircraft as the...
, who have redesigned the tailplane and wings and are re-launching the aircraft as the Sirocco NG. The first flight of the prototype for this was in May 2009. The Sirocco NG is available as a kit, or in its lighter version (FAR 103/SSDR) fully built.
Description
The aircraft has two wings which can be dismounted for transport. The leading edge box consists of a spar and fibreglass leading edge, supplemented by an alloy rear strut. The wing profile is defined by preformed aluminum ribs. The trailing edge spar is laminated fiberglass. These three elements are interconnected by compression rods, cables and ribs, and ensure the shape and tension of the fabric coating for good aerodynamic efficiency. The coating is "Bainbridge" Dacron, 170 gr/m². Once in place on the fuselage, cables and a kingpost stay the two wings.The fuselage and vertical fin are made of a fiberglass-polyester structure consisting of 2 half shells molded and stiffened by frames and smoothed to have a lightweight structure with an aerodynamic shape. Once completed they are assembled by gluing, which ensures rigidity.
The landing gear is made from glass-epoxy. The main gear is flexible; the front axle is steerable and has a brake drum. The steering control is a lever on the right of the cockpit, with locking in a neutral position.
The motorcycle-type engine may have a power ranging from 24 HP (Koenig 43ORD) to 40 hp (Rotax 447), and is mounted on the rear of the central mast. Starting is manual.
The pilot is in a recumbent position in the cockpit.
The canopy is removable; flights are possible without the canopy in hot weather. For the winter there is an electric heater. The pilot is kept in his seat by a 3-point belt; the seat is fixed, but the rudder pedals are adjustable (3 positions) depending on the size of the pilot. The mini control stick is central.
One-piece tailplane (fully mobile/all-flying) controlled by rigid rods and ball joints. A trim tab helps balance the machine at all speeds, to improve comfort for long flights.
Specifications (Sirocco)
External links
- Aero Consult Light Aircraft (ACLA) -- the current manufacturer of the Sirocco
- The Sirocco Microlight -- description, images, early articles, etc.
- Le Sirocco du tour du monde -- the Sirocco that toured the world