First Deliveries Are Expected In March

SkyCraft Airplanes remains two months away from completing certification for the SD-1 Minisport, with its current first delivery expected to be made in March, the company reported this week on its website.

As flight testing has progressed, SkyCraft has continued the process of fine-tuning its aircraft. Currently the SD-1 is undergoing two key performance improvements: the first is a computer update to the fuel-injected Hirth F-23 engine that will allow for a smoother idle, and the second is an upgrade to the exhaust system that will both reduce vibration during flight and increase power output from the engine. SkyCraft’s mission is to build the build the highest-performing Light Sport Aircraft on the market, and these upgrades are a reflection of that goal.
 
These improvements are expected to be completed after the New Year, at which point flight testing will resume. SkyCraft’s current schedule has its declaration of full compliance to ASTM Light Sport Standards in February, at which point it will undergo its First Article Inspection from the FAA. SkyCraft expects to achieve certification shortly thereafter.

Powered by a fuel-injected 50 horsepower Hirth F-23 engine, SkyCraft says the airplane can cruise at 118 MPH with a range of 575 miles burning only 1.8 gallons of fuel per hour.

The aircraft is constructed of spruce and birch woods, carbon fiber and composite materials. The simple design was born in the Czech Republic and was originally available as a kit. This year, SkyCraft began selling them as a production built aircraft. The SkyCraft is built in the USA.

The engine has a 1000 hour TBO and the first 500 hour top-end overhaul is free to the purchaser. They also provide a replacement for the carbon fiber propeller at 600 hours.

The aircraft needs only 200 feet to take off and 400 feet for landing. It will climb at 1,400 feet per minute. The interior is nice and the standard aircraft comes with a carbon fiber panel that has the Dynon avionics package. The seat is Italian leather and in a well thought out move, there is a baggage door compartment aft of the cockpit so you don’t have to remove the seat to get to your cargo. All of this with a list price of $54,850.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.skycraftairplanes.com