Ikarus C42

Infobox Aircraft
name=C42


caption=
type=Fixed wing microlight aircraft
manufacturer=Comco Ikarus GmbH
designer=Hans Gygax
first flight=1996
introduced=
retired=
status=
primary user=
more users=
produced=
number built=650+
unit cost= approx €42,000–53,000
developed from=The Ikarus C42 is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear, general aviation microlight airplane, manufactured in Germany by COMCO IKARUS GmbH. It is used primarily for flight training, touring, and personal flying.

Design and development

The Ikarus C42 is a single-engined high-wing monoplane with side-by-side seats for two in a convert|1.22|m|in|abbr=on wide cabin. The C42 is manufactured with either an convert|80|hp|kW|abbr=on Rotax 912 engine or a convert|100|hp|kW|abbr=on 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 and, 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.

Controls

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 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.

pecifications

These specifications relate to the Ikarus C42 fitted with a Rotax 912s engine.

V speeds

Where a single speed appears, it is applicable to the aircraft at maximum gross weight of convert|1040|lb|kg. Where a range appears, the lower speed is applicable at empty weight of convert|572|lb|kg|, while the higher speed is applicable at maximum gross weight.
* V_R (rotation): 40 kias (74 km/h)
* V_Y (best rate of climb): 62 kias (115 km/h)
* V_A (maneuvering): 82 kias (152 km/h)
* V_NO (max cruise): 105 kias (194 km/h)
* V_NE (never exceed): 121 kias (224 km/h)
* V_FE (flaps extended): 63 kias (117 km/h)
* V_REF (40° flaps, approach): 52 - 60 kias (96 - 111 km/h)
* V_S0 (stall, dirty): 33 kias (61 km/h)
* V_S1 (stall, clean): 42 kias (78 km/h)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop

crew=1
capacity=1 passenger
length main=20 ft 6 in
length alt=6.25 m
span main=31 ft 0 in
span alt=9.45 m
height main=7 ft 4 in
height alt=2.24 m
area main=134.5 ft²
area alt=12.5 m²
empty weight main=583 lb
empty weight alt=265 kg
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
max takeoff weight main= (depends on country) approx 1,041 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 473 kg

engine (prop)= Rotax 912s
type of prop=flat-4 engine
number of props=1
power main=100 hp
power alt=75 kW
power more=three-blade, ground adjusted, carbon fibre, fixed-pitch propeller

max speed main=
max speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
stall speed more=
range main=432 miles
range alt=375 nm, 695 km
range more=
* Extended range 898 miles (780 nm, 1,445 km) with long-range tanks
ceiling main=
ceiling alt=
* Takeoff roll: 262 ft (80 m)
climb rate main=1050 ft/min
climb rate alt=320 m/min
max loading main=
max loading alt=
max power/mass main=
max power/mass alt=

External links

* [http://www.comco-ikarus.de/index_english.html German Manufacturers website]

ee also

aircontent

related=

similar aircraft=
*3Xtrim 3X55 Trener - Flight Design CTSW

sequence=
C22 • C42

lists=

see also=