Pipistrel Alpha Trainer

Last updated

Alpha Trainer
F-WLAB Pipistrel Alpha Electro 3 (cropped) 2.jpg
Pipistrel Alpha in flight
Role Light-sport aircraft
National origin Slovenia
Manufacturer Pipistrel
First flight2012
StatusIn production
ProducedMay 2012 – present
Number built500+ [1]
Developed from Pipistrel Virus

The Pipistrel Alpha Trainer is a Slovenian two-seat, single-engine light-sport aircraft intended specifically for flight training, designed and produced by Pipistrel in Gorizia, Italy. [2] [3]

Contents

The Alpha was announced at the end of 2011 and production started in 2012. [4] Based on the design of the Pipistrel Virus, it is intended to be a low-cost solution for LSA flight training both in the acquisition and operating costs, while still including a full airframe emergency recovery parachute system as standard equipment.

The electric version of the Alpha Trainer was announced in 2015, and as of January 2020, it remained the only commercially available electric airplane in the world, with the exception of electric motorgliders. [5]

Design and development

The Rotax-powered Alpha Trainer Z-Pipistrel Alpha Trainer 535D (46779464715).jpg
The Rotax-powered Alpha Trainer

The aircraft features a cantilever high-wing, a two-seats in side-by-side configuration, tricycle landing gear and a single 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912 UL engine in tractor configuration. [2] It was designed to comply with the US light-sport aircraft rules.

The aerodynamic design is based on the Pipistrel Virus but structurally redesigned to simplify the manufacture and maintenance. The aircraft is made from single-skin laminate composite, instead of the honeycomb layup found in the Virus. [5] The landing gear was reinforced for training use, and the main wheels' differential brakes replaced with a central brake lever between the seats. The cockpit is equipped with traditional and cheaper round-dial style flight instruments and a GPS, rather than a full glass cockpit. Air brakes are optional to offer simpler controls and the flaperons redesigned to have 25 degrees of flap travel for easy short-field landings. [3]

A full airframe emergency ballistic parachute is included as standard equipment. [3]

The fuel consumption is projected to be 9.5 L (2.5 US gal) per hour when used in the training role and conducting touch-and-go circuits. [2] [3] The 50 L (13 US gal) fuel tank allows an endurance of more than 4 hours.

Its initial price of US$85,000 [3] was intended to address moves by Pipistrel's competition in raising prices on their aircraft. In particular, the Alpha's price was initially set well below the then-current US$149,000 price announced for the comparable Cessna 162. As of April 2020, the base price ranged between €65,000 (US$70,100) and €86,800 (US$93,600), depending on the country-specific regulatory requirements. [6]

Variants

Alpha Electro

Alpha Electro Pipistrel Alpha Electro at AERO Friedrichshafen 2018 (1X7A4773).jpg
Alpha Electro
External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Video: Pipistrel Alpha Electro Aero 2015
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Video: Flying Pipistrel's Electric Airplane

Pipistrel introduced an electric version called the Alpha Electro in 2015 at a price of 69,000 euros, [4] with technology from the Pipistrel WATTsUP proof of concept design, for short training. It has energy for one flight hour plus reserves, and can recharge in 45 minutes or have its batteries replaced in 5 minutes. [7] Instead of 78 pounds (35 kg) of fuel, it has 277 pounds (126 kg) of LiPo cells, however the water cooled electric motor weighs 11 kg; [8] much less than the gasoline engine. It has a useful load of 380 pounds (170 kg), whereas a Cessna 152 has between 350 and 480 lb (160–220 kg) useful load. [9] [10]

After 38 minutes of flying various manoeuvres, battery charge may be 25%. From the inside, the Electro is very similar to the gasoline-powered version, but from the outside, the Electro is much quieter. Electricity costs are about 1/10 of gasoline. [8]

The Electro is now certified in the USA. [11] In 2015 Pipistrel intended to fly the Electro from France to England two days before the Airbus E-Fan, but was prevented by Siemens. [12] Four Electro aircraft will be used to provide flight training in Fresno, California starting in late 2017 as part of the Sustainable Aviation Project. [13] [ needs update ]

Operators

Specifications (Alpha Trainer)

Data from AVweb and Pipistrel [2] [3] [15] [16]

General characteristics

Performance

Avionics

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 172</span> Propeller driven single engine aircraft

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955, more 172s have been built than any other aircraft. It was developed from the 1948 Cessna 170 but with tricycle landing gear rather than conventional landing gear. The Skyhawk name was originally used for a trim package, but was later applied to all standard-production 172 aircraft, while some upgraded versions were marketed as the Cutlass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flight Design CT</span> German family of light aircraft

The Flight Design CT series is a family of high-wing, tricycle undercarriage, two seat, ultralight and light-sport aircraft produced by Flight Design of Germany. The family includes the original CT and the CT2K, CTSW, CTLS and the MC models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 162 Skycatcher</span> American side-by-side two-seat light sport airplane

The Cessna 162 Skycatcher is an American side-by-side two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, tricycle gear light-sport aircraft (LSA) that was designed and produced by Cessna between December 2009 and December 2013. Its intended market was flight training and personal use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CZAW SportCruiser</span> Czech light-sport aircraft

The CSA SportCruiser is a two-seat, single engine, tricycle undercarriage, fixed-wing aircraft that was introduced in 2006 by Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW), now named Czech Sport Aircraft.

Pipistrel d.o.o Ajdovščina is a Slovenian light aircraft manufacturer established in 1989 by Ivo Boscarol and based in Ajdovščina. Its facilities are located in Ajdovščina, Slovenia, and near the town of Gorizia, Italy. By March 2019, Pipistrel had produced more than 2000 aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipistrel Virus</span> Type of aircraft

The Pipistrel Virus is a two-seat, single engine light aircraft, manufactured by Pipistrel in Slovenia and Italy, and sold as an ultralight, homebuilt kit, or light-sport aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipistrel Sinus</span> Type of aircraft

The Pipistrel Sinus is a two-seat, single-engine ultralight motor glider, developed and manufactured by Pipistrel in Slovenia and Italy. Its design has served as the base for future Pipistrel developments such as the Virus and Alpha Trainer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipistrel Taurus</span> Type of aircraft

The Pipistrel Taurus is a Slovenian self-launched two-seat microlight glider designed and built by Pipistrel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flight Design C4</span> German light aircraft

The Flight Design C4 is a German four seat, high-wing, single engine light aircraft under development by Flight Design of Leinfelden-Echterdingen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipistrel Panthera</span> Slovenian light aircraft

The Pipistrel Panthera is a lightweight, all-composite, highly efficient four-seat aircraft under development by Pipistrel of Slovenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond DA62</span> Type of aircraft

The Diamond DA62 is a five- to seven-seat, twin-engine light aircraft produced by Diamond Aircraft Industries and first announced in March 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Aircraft Sam LS</span> Canadian light aircraft

The Sam Aircraft Sam LS is a Canadian aircraft design, designed and produced by Sam Aircraft, formerly known as Haim Aviation of Lachute, Quebec. The aircraft was designed for the Canadian AULA and American light-sport aircraft rules and had its first flight on 26 February 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric Aircraft Corporation ElectraFlyer-X</span> American electric aircraft

The Electric Aircraft Corporation ElectraFlyer-X is an American kit and light-sport electric aircraft, designed by Randall Fishman and at one time under development by his company Electric Aircraft Corporation of Cliffside Park, New Jersey. The ElectraFlyer-X was introduced at AirVenture in 2009. The aircraft is intended to be supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft.

The Pipistrel WATTsUP is an electric aircraft proof-of-concept trainer design that was built in Slovenia by Pipistrel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ScaleWings SW51 Mustang</span> Austrian ultralight aircraft

The ScaleWings SW51 Mustang, formerly marketed as the FK-Lightplanes FK51 Mustang, is an Austrian ultralight, light-sport aircraft and homebuilt aircraft that was designed by ScaleWings of Strasswalchen, Austria and was initially produced by FK-Lightplanes of Krosno, Poland, who introduced it publicly at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2013. After FK-Lightplanes ceased production, the design was built by ScaleWings.

The Liaoning Ruixiang RX1E is a Chinese two-seat electric aircraft, designed by the Liaoning General Aviation Academy at Shenyang Aerospace University and manufactured by the Liaoning Ruixiang General Aviation Manufacture Company Limited of Shenyang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bye Aerospace eFlyer 2</span> Type of aircraft

The Bye Aerospace eFlyer 2 is a light electric aircraft designed and under development by Bye Aerospace of Denver, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulcanair V1.0</span> Italian light aircraft

The Vulcanair V1.0 is an Italian light aircraft, designed and produced by Vulcanair of Casoria, introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2014. The aircraft is type certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the US Federal Aviation Administration and is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipistrel Velis Electro</span> First type certified electric aircraft

The Pipistrel Velis Electro is a Slovenian light aircraft, designed and produced by Pipistrel of Ajdovščina. The aircraft was EASA CS-LSA fully electric type certified in June 2020 and it is intended primarily for the training aircraft role, particularly multiple successive take-off and landings at the airfield. The design is the first type certified electric aircraft and is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.

The Pipistrel Nuuva V300 is an unmanned hybrid-electric VTOL cargo aircraft currently under development by Pipistrel and projected to be released in 2023. The aircraft has eight electric motors driving propellers providing lift as well as a single internal combustion engine driving a propeller providing thrust. The company claims that the aircraft will be able to operate with a typical cargo weight of 300 kg (661 lb) and a typical range of 300 km (162 nmi). In October 2020 the company announced that the aircraft would implement a Honeywell fly-by-wire system.

References

  1. ↑ "Pipistrel Alpha Trainer Description". Pipistrel Aircraft. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Grady, Mary (30 November 2011). "Pipistrel Promises $83K LSA Trainer". AVweb. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Grady, Mary (14 May 2012). "Pipistrel Alpha LSA Trainer Ready To Fly For $85K". AVweb. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  4. 1 2 Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015–16, page 73. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN   1368-485X
  5. 1 2 Bertorelli, Paul (8 January 2020). "Alpha Electro: One Fish, Small Pond". AvWeb. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  6. ↑ "ALPHA Trainer - Price List". Pipistrel Configurator. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  7. ↑ Grady, Mary (14 April 2015). "Pipistrel Introduces Alpha Electro". avweb.com. Aviation Publishing Group. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  8. 1 2 Bertorelli, Paul (17 June 2015). "An Electric Airplane Virgin No More". avweb.com. Aviation Publishing Group. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Bertorelli, Paul (15 March 2015). "Will 2015 See Deliverable Electric Airplanes?". avweb.com. Aviation Publishing Group. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  10. ↑ Grady, Mary (14 April 2015). "Pipistrel Alpha Electro Aero 2015". AVweb. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  11. ↑ Lambert, Fred (27 April 2018). "First all-electric trainer plane gets airworthiness certification from the FAA in the US". Electrek . Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  12. ↑ Niles, Russ (7 July 2015). "Pipistrel Cancels Channel Flight After Siemens Pulls Support". AVweb. Archived from the original on 28 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Electric Aviation Made Practical". 19 October 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  14. ↑ Grady, Mary (10 April 2018). "Pipistrel Lands Biggest U.S. Order". AVweb. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  15. ↑ Pipistrel (2011). "Pipistrel introduces a fully equipped training aircraft for under $85,000 US" . Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  16. ↑ "Alpha Trainer Technical Data". pipistrel.si. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.