This article needs additional citations for verification .(August 2016) |
C42 | |
---|---|
Role | Fixed wing microlight and light-sport aircraft |
Manufacturer | Comco Ikarus |
First flight | 1996 |
Number built | >1,200 |
Variants | Ikarus C52 |
The Ikarus C42 is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear, general aviation microlight aircraft, manufactured in Germany by Comco Ikarus. It is used primarily for flight training, touring and personal flying. [1] [2]
The Ikarus C42 is a single-engined high-wing monoplane with side-by-side seats for two in a 1.22 m (48 in) wide cabin. The C42 is manufactured with either an 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912 engine or a 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912s engine. The Rotax engine has a low fuel consumption and relatively low noise. The engine drives the propeller, which has ground-adjustable pitch, through a gearbox with a 2.273:1 reduction ratio.
The aircraft is structurally supported by a backbone of large diameter aluminium tube which runs the length of the aircraft. The cabin and fuselage shell is a composite material which, being non-structural, can be removed for inspection and repair.
The wings are constructed of tubular front and rear spars. The wings and flying control surfaces are covered in Kevlar/Mylar/Polyester laminate. The wings can be removed or folded (if an optional folding kit is installed) for storage and transportation. The wing tips are of composite construction which reduces drag and improves low speed handling. Access to the cabin is provided by two gull-wing doors. [3]
A single centre stick controls the ailerons and elevators. Electrical pitch trim is controlled by two buttons on the top of the stick, operated by the thumb. A push to talk button is on the front of the stick, operated by the index finger, together with a vertical hand-operated brake lever similar to a motorcycle front brake lever.
Rudder pedals are dual control. The distance from the seat to the pedals is fixed because the seat position is not adjustable.
The dual control throttle levers are situated between the legs, and pivot from side to side so can be folded out of the way making entry and exit of the aircraft easier.
The flaps are controlled by a centrally-mounted lever on the roof of the cabin. The relatively short lever does make the operation of lowering flaps quite physical when combined with holding the centre control stick at the same time.
In conjunction with a Rotax 912 ULS, the Ikarus C42 may be used to tow gliders. The maximum nominal ultimate strength at weak link must not exceed 660 pounds. Banner towing is allowed with the smaller Rotax 912 UL.
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2000–01 [4]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
The Aero Adventure Aventura is a family of ultralight amphibians marketed as a kit aircraft by Aero Adventure of DeLand, Florida. The aircraft was designed by Bob Bailey in 1995.
The Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat is a Ukrainian two-seat, high-wing, tricycle landing gear ultralight aircraft that was designed by Yuri Yakovlev and is manufactured by Aeroprakt. In the United States the A-22 is referred to as the Valor, while in the UK and Australia it is called the Foxbat. It has also been marketed as the Vision. The Aeroprakt A-22 is supplied either as "ready-to-fly" factory built aircraft, or as a kit, consisting of 152 pieces. The kit can be built in about 500 man-hours.
The MAI-223 Kityonok is a single-engine STOL ultralight aircraft developed by the Moscow Aviation Institute's special design bureau (OSKBEC) from 2002. The first production aircraft was delivered in 2008. A crop spraying version is under development. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or complete and ready-to-fly.
The Coavio DF 2000 is a single-engine, high-wing all-metal ultralight aircraft with side-by-side seating for two. Built in Italy, production began in 2004.
The Skyeton K-10 Swift is a two-seat, single-engine light sports or ultralight aircraft designed in Ukraine.
The AirLony Skylane UL is a Czech two-seat, microlight, cabin monoplane manufactured by AirLony of Štětí.
The B&F Fk9, also marketed as the FK-Lightplanes FK9, is a German-designed single-engine, two-seat ultralight, first flown in 1989. It has been developed from a mixed structure, fabric covered aircraft to a wholly composite machine. It remains in production at factories in Germany and Poland and has sold in large numbers, flying on four continents.
The Roko Aero NG4 is a single-engined sport aircraft, available in both light-sport aircraft and ultralight models, which seats two side by side. It is in production in the Czech Republic.
The S-Wing Swing is a high-wing, two-seat, single-engine ultralight/light sport aircraft designed and built in the Czech Republic.
The Tecnam P2008 is a single-engine, high-wing two-seat aircraft built in Italy but aimed at the US market. It is the first Tecnam aircraft to incorporate major composite components. It was introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen 2009 show, with first deliveries in December 2009.
The Humbert Tétras is a French two seat ultralight with a single engine and high wing. Available as a kit or complete aircraft, it has been in production since 1994 by Humbert Aviation of Ramonchamp.
The TL Ultralight TL-3000 Sirius is a conventional single engine high wing ultralight and Light-sport aircraft seating two side-by-side. It was designed and is produced in the Czech Republic.
The Antares MA-32 is the first model in a large family of Ukrainian ultralight trikes that is designed and produced by Antares Aircraft and at one time marketed by Leading Edge Air Foils as the LEAF Antares. The aircraft are supplied as kits for amateur construction.
The Just Escapade is a single-engine, high-wing light aircraft, seating two in side-by-side configuration. It was jointly developed in the United States and the United Kingdom in the early 2000s and by 2010 some 145 Escapades and its "bush plane" variant, the Highlander, had been built and many more kits sold.
The A2 CZ Ellipse Spirit is a Czech ultralight aircraft, designed and produced by A2 CZ. The aircraft was introduced at the Aero show in 2011 and is supplied complete and ready to fly or as a kit for amateur construction.
The Ikarus C52 is a German ultralight aircraft, designed and produced by Comco Ikarus, introduced at the Aero show held in Friedrichshafen in 2011. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
The Distar UFM-13 Lambada is a Czech shoulder-wing, two-seat motor glider originally designed and produced by Urban Air and now built by Distar Air of Ústí nad Orlicí.
The Apollo Racer GT is a Hungarian ultralight trike, designed and produced by Apollo Ultralight Aircraft of Eger. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
The Skyrider Stingray is a German ultralight trike, designed and produced by Skyrider Flugschule. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.
The Ibis GS-710 Magic, also called the GS-450, is a Colombian homebuilt aircraft that was designed and produced by Ibis Aircraft of Cali, developed from the Ibis GS-700 Magic. When it was available the aircraft was supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft or as a kit for amateur construction.