JMB VL-3 Sprint

VL-3 Sprint
VL-3 Sprint RG
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Aveko
JMB Aircraft
First flight 6 June 2004[1]
Status In production
Variants Gobosh 800XP

The VL-3 Evolution also called the Aveko VL-3 Sprint is a Czech ultralight aircraft, designed and initially produced by Aveko of Brno. The design is now produced by JMB Aircraft of Choceň. The aircraft was originally supplied by Aveko complete ready-to-fly, but is now owner-completed through a factory assistance program.[2][3][4][5]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a cantilever low-wing a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed or retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[2][3]

The aircraft is made from composites. Its 8.44 m (27.7 ft) span wing has a small wing area of 9.77 m2 (105.2 sq ft). The standard engine is the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS four-stroke powerplant.[2][3]

A fixed gear version with a larger wing span and area as well as a higher gross weight was developed for the US light-sport aircraft category and was marketed from about 2009 to 2016 by Gobosh Aviation as the Gobosh 800XP.[2][3] By 2016 the Gobosh Aviation company website had been taken down and the company had likely gone out of business.[6]

Operational history

A VL-3 set a world two-seat ultralight class record of 274.78 km/h (170.74 mph) in 2005.[2][3]

Variants

Aveko VL-3 FG Sprint
VL-3 FG
Fixed landing gear model[2]
VL-3 RG
Retractable landing gear model[2]
VL-3C-1
Model with fixed landing gear and a slower wing and 600 kg (1,323 lb) take-off weight for the light-sport aircraft category.[3]

Specifications (VL-3 Sprint)

Aveko VL-3 FG Sprint
JMB VL-3 Evolution RG at AERO Friedrichshafen 2019

Data from Bayerl and JMB Aircraft[2][7][8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 6.24 m (20 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.44 m (27 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 9.77 m2 (105.2 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 290 kg (639 lb)
  • Gross weight: 472.514144 kg (1,042 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 90 to 120 litres (20 to 26 imp gal; 24 to 32 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS four cylinder, liquid and air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 75 kW (101 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 250 km/h (160 mph, 130 kn)
  • Stall speed: 53 km/h (33 mph, 29 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 305 km/h (190 mph, 165 kn)
  • Range: 3,333 km (2,071 mi, 1,800 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 6 m/s (1,200 ft/min)

References

  1. ^ Simpson, Longley & Swan 2022, p. 172.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 30. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ^ a b c d e f Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 64. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  4. ^ JMB Aircraft. "Build". Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  5. ^ Aveko (2007). "AVEKO, s.r.o. UL planes production". vl-3.com. Archived from the original on 9 December 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  6. ^ Gobosh Aviation (2007). "Gobosh Aviation Home Page". gobosh.aero. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  7. ^ JMB Aircraft (n.d.). "VL-3 World's Fastest Ultralight Aircraft". Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  8. ^ "VL-3 World's Fastest Ultralight Aircraft". Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  • Simpson, Rod; Longley, Pete; Swan, Robert (2022). The General Aviation Handbook: A Guide to Millennial General Aviation Manufacturers and their Aircraft. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Trading) Limited. ISBN 978-0-85130-562-2.
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