Aeroprakt A-22

Infobox Aircraft
name=A-22 Foxbat


caption=The Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat
type=Sports Light Aircraft
manufacturer=Aeroprakt
designer=Yuri Yakovlev
first flight=
introduced=2000
retired=
status=In production as a kit plane
primary user=Private aviators
more users= Flight schools
produced=2000 to present
number built=
unit cost=£38,152
variants with their own articles=

The Aeroprakt A-22 "Foxbat" is a two seater Ultralight made with pilot comfort in mind. In the USA the A-22 is referred to as a "Valor" [http://www.fpna.com/a22.htm The USAs website for the Aeroprakt A-22] , while in the UK its referred to as the "Foxbat", as a nod towards its origins. Visibility is excellent, due to the large amount of glazing, including concave doors, that allow the occupants to look straight down. The A-22 uses a 3-axis control system, giving the pilot full control over the aircraft. To save on weight, and instead of separate ailerons and flaps, the A-22 combines them into a single flaperon. The wings are excellent generators of lift, giving a stall speed of 55Kmh (30Kt) with flaperons selected fully down. The wide undercarriage makes this machine just as stable in the ground. [http://www.foxbat.co.uk/intro.htm The UK 'Foxbat' website]

Design

The Aeroprakt A-22 is supplied either as "ready-to-fly" factory built aircraft, or as a kit, consisting of some 152 pieces. The Kit can be built single handedly in around 500 hours, except for a few jobs where an extra pair of hands would be invaluable. The kit comes with either the 80hp Rotax 912 or, the more powefull 100hp Rotax 912S. Originally the A-22 came fitted with a 40 litre inboard fuel tank behind the seats although later models have wing tanks holding 37.5 litres per side. The propellor is a 3-blade composite KievProp, which is ground adjustable and is also considered very quiet. Dual controls come as standard, with a single "Y" yoke being employed, allowing either pilot or passenger to control the aircraft. There is also the option of the slightly more expensive twin yoke control system. The A-22's structure is almost completely all-metal with only the engine cowling, wing fillets and wheel spats being made of composites. The wings and control surfaces are fabric covered.

Background

The Aeroprakt company, based in Kiev Ukraine, was founded in 1991. Apart from the A-22, Aeroprakt also designed the A-20, A-24, A-26 and the A-36, although, at this time, the A-26 is not in production, and the A-36 is currently still a prototype. [http://www.aeroprakt.kiev.ua/eng_html/about_head.htm Aeroprakts official "About" page] Aeroprakt employ about 50 staff, consisting of highly qualified specialists, who have great work experience at other Ukrainian aircraft manufacturers, for example: Antonov ASTC, "Quazar" and "Tochelectropribor". Aeroprakt claim to have another 10 specialists working with the company on a contract basis. At present the production facilities consist of 2000 square meters of floor space.

Specifications of the A-22

aircraft specifications

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

crew=1 pilot
capacity= 1 passenger
length main=6.3 m
length alt=22.66 foot
span main=10 m
span alt=32.8 foot
height main=2.4 m
height alt=7.87 foot
area main=13.7 m²
area alt=147.465 foot²
empty weight main=260 kg
empty weight alt=569 lbs
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
max takeoff weight main=450 kg
max takeoff weight alt=992 lbs

engine (prop)=Rotax 912 or 912S
type of prop=flat-4 engine
number of props=1
power main=80 hp
power alt=or 100hp
power more=3 blade fixed propeller

max speed main=122 mph
max speed alt=106 knots, 196 km/h
stall speed main=30 mph
stall speed alt=26 knots, 48 km/h
stall speed more=unpowered, flaps down
range main=
range alt=
range more=
ceiling main=
ceiling alt=
climb rate main= 1100 ft/min
climb rate alt=6 m/s
max loading main=
max loading alt=
max power/mass main=
max power/mass alt=

References

External links