Next-Generation LSA Hits The Market

The Sting S3 is the latest in a generation of LSAs that have been a part of the Sport Pilot scene for a number of years. The airplane is manufactured in the Czech Republic by TL-Ultralight, sro. A predecessor, the StingSport was the fifth light sport aircraft to be certified in the USA. The S3 is the fourth generation in a line of distinguished aircraft that includes the S3 (2008), the StingSport (2004), the Sting Carbon (2000) and the Star (1996).

The design of the Sting S3 is a product of Miroslav and Petr Kabrt, whose Vanessa Air company, in collaboration with Czech Technical University of Prague, specializes in the design, analysis and testing of whole-composite aircraft and aircraft components for civilian and military applications.

The Sting S3 is a low-wing, tricycle-geared, single-engine airplane manufactured from composite materials with two side-by-side seats. The wing of the Sting S3 uses the MS (1)-0313 airfoil profile and is tapered. Wings are removable in as little as 30 minutes, and lock together through the fuselage in a manner similar to sailplanes. The standard 100 horsepower Rotax liquid-cooled, four-cylinder, four-cycle engine swings a 68-inch, ground adjustable, three-bladed carbon composite propeller. The airplane is designed to perform to the limits of FAA-specified performance envelope for light sport aircraft.

The S3 has a cruise, (75% power) of 116 kts, a clean stall of 39 kts, dirty stall of 34 kts and a demonstrated crosswind component of 17 kts. Climbing 1000 fpm at best rate, the S3 uses 295 ft. for takeoff (over a 50 ft. obstacle, that translates to 745 ft), and a landing roll of 345 ft (50 ft. obstacle -- 1020 ft).

Aero-TV Profiles The Sting Sport S3

FMI: www.sting.aero, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews