Complete A Sinus Or Virus Kit In 200 Hours Says Pipistrel

Two capable kit aircraft from Australian company Pipistrel are oddly-named, but are now on the FAA's list of kits conforming to the 51% rule.

The significance of the 51% rule is a builder may apply for a repairman's certificate without "proving" via FAA-specified logs and other paperwork that he or she built the majority of the aircraft him or herself. Pipistrel has proven to the FAA if the builder follows the manual in assembling the components as supplied he or she will have complied with the requirement.

A repairman's certificate allows the builder to perform and sign off all maintenance -- including annual inspections. That can add up to quite a savings over the life of the aircraft for an enterprising individual!

Kit prices for the pair range from $57,000 to $77,000 depending on the engine and other options. The company sells two versions for each: a 200 hour kit and a 400 hour kit. As you probably guessed, the 400 hour kits are cheaper because less work is done for the builder at the factory.

Pipistrel markets the Sinus (pictured above) in a number of configurations to suit any taste. Specs on the company's website say the basic airframe has a 49 ft wingspan, cruises at 110 knots burning 3.1 GPH with a Rotax 912 (a Rotax 503 is an option), has a 30:1 glide ratio and 7.5 hours endurance.

The Virus wings are 8 feet shorter giving it 10 knots more cruise at the cost of glide ratio -- only 24:1 -- and a half-gallon more fuel burned per hour.

Both aircraft are two-seaters sporting a full-feathering propeller allowing the pilot to take advantage of all that wing. Either can be had as a tail-dragger or trike. Motorgliding in either should make for a fun day!

The pair are quite spiffy looking despite the odd names, and both are also available for the less enterprising as a completed aircraft.

FMI: www.pipistrel-usa.com