Swift Aircraft Swift

Last updated

Swift
Artist's conception
General information
TypeAerobatic two seat light aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Swift Aircraft
History
First flightExpected late 2023 [1]

The Swift Aircraft Swift is a single engine, conventional light aircraft, seating two in side-by-side configuration. It is being developed in the UK but has yet to fly.

Contents

Design and development

The Swift is mostly built from composite materials; flying surfaces and the fuselage are formed from composite sandwiches and the wing and tailplane have carbon fibre spars. It has a low wing of trapezoidal plan with slightly upturned tips, fitted with Frise ailerons and slotted flaps. The rear surfaces are also trapezoidal. There is a trim tab in the elevator and a ground adjustable tab on the rudder. [2]

The cockpit has a fixed windscreen and rearward-sliding canopy and is equipped with dual controls. There is a baggage space behind the side-by-side seats. The Swift has a fixed, tricycle undercarriage with the mainwheels on fuselage mounted, spring steel, cantilever legs. The mainwheels have disc brakes and the nosewheel is steerable. The Swift is designed to accept a range of Textron Lycoming horizontally opposed engines in the power range 119–194 kW (160–260 hp), driving a three-bladed propeller. [2]

The Swift program was announced in May 2009. In 2015 Swift Technology Group announced a "multi million pound investment" supporting development of the aircraft and other products, [3] [4] and exhibited a static display at AeroExpo UK. [5]

In 2021, the Royal Air Force announced its intention to become carbon neutral, called Project MONET. [6] To further this project, the UK MOD awarded a contract in 2023 to develop the Swift as a zero-emission aircraft with a possible implementation date of 2027. [7] Swift Technology Group have begun experimenting with hemp and flax fibres in the composite panels, [1] as well as alternate fuels, and even electric propulsion. [7]

Variants

Swift II
Intended to be type certified to EASA CS-23
Swift M260
Military version of above, which may replace the Grob Tutor T1 in No. 6 Flying Training School RAF [6]
Swift LSA
Intended to be certified to EASA CS-LSA
Swift VLA
Intended to be certified to EASA CS-VLA in kit and factory-complete flyaway versions

Specifications (Swift II)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2011/12 [2] Performance estimated.

General characteristics

Performance

Avionics

References

  1. 1 2 Stephen Bridgewater (11 November 2022). "Swift progress". Aero Society.
  2. 1 2 3 Jackson, Paul (2011). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2011-12. Coulsdon, Surrey: IHS Jane's. p. 596. ISBN   978-0-7106-2955-5.
  3. ↑ "Swift Technology Group Secures Private Investment". Swift Technology Group. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2024. Undated press release.
  4. ↑ "Swift gets fresh investment to develop new aircraft". Pilot Magazine. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "Exhibitor List | AeroExpo UK 2015 | AeroExpo UK 2015". 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Project MONET Announcement". Swift Technology Group. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  7. 1 2 Paul F. Eden (31 July 2023). "UK MoD sees promise in Swift composite aerobatic plane". Runway Girl Network. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
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