 |
| SkyCraft CEO Tyler Ives and the SD-1. (photo by Phil Weston) |
By Sienna Kossman
As a part of its goal to make flying easy and affordable, SkyCraft Airplanes, of Salt Lake City, Utah, has created the SD-1 Mini Sport kit plane.
When complete, it weighs approximately 245 pounds and uses only 1.8 gph at 118 mph. Broken down, the operational cost of this kit plane comes to about $10-$12 per hour, according to SkyCraft CEO Tyler Ives.
"Not only is it an affordable kit, but it's also affordable to fly," Ives said.
The Mini Sport kit can be built in a relatively short amount of time, approximately 400-700 work hours, he claims.
Manufactured in the Czech Republic, the kit is available in trike or taildragger configuration. XL models are also available, adding several inches to the cockpit for taller pilots.
The cost for the kit without the engine, which is sold separately for about $7,000, comes to $13,995. Several options are available, but the standard SD-1 Mini Sport engine is the F-23 with fuel injection and duel ignition.
As a result of the weight-to-power ratio, the company is claiming the SD-1 has the fastest climb rate (1,500 fpm) and slowest fuel burn rate on the market.
"We think we can transform the industry for younger people who need something timely and affordable," said SkyCraft representative Paul Glavin.
There are currently 17 SD-1 Mini Sport kit planes flying worldwide, and by April 2013, SkyCraft hopes to also have a tandem version as well as a ready-to-fly model available for approximately $55,000.
For more information, visit Booth 59 in the LSA Mall or log onto www.SkyCraftAirplanes.com.
---------------------------
|
