SportairUSA Intros Snap! ... The Light Sport Aerobat
SportairUSA, the American marketer and distributor of the
Dallair FR-100 Snap!, has American production prototype of the
aerobatic LSA at AirVenture 2011. The Snap! will be unveiled during
a presentation at the International Aerobics Club (IAC)
headquarters, at 1200 CDT, Tuesday, July 26th, and will be on
display at the LSA Mall for the remainder of the week.
“A new aerobatic craft is an uncommon event,” said
Bill Canino, President of SportairUSA. “The Snap! is the
first purpose-built aerobat to incorporate lower-cost technology
and methods learned from the light sport industry, and to be
flyable by any licensed pilot, with or without a current
medical
certificate.”
The light-weight Snap! (MTOW under 950lbs) flies behind a 130hp
competition engine, built by EPApower on a ROTAX 900 series base,
with 1484cc displacement, electronic fuel injection, inverted oil
system, Gen2 auxiliary 26amp alternator, 4 into 1 exhaust, fully
balanced and polished. The Snap! meets or exceeds FAA Part 23
acrobatic standards, including +6 / -3 wing loading.
The Snap! will also appear at several IAC-sanctioned competitive
events during the year. The first production aircraft for the
American market will be available early in 2012. The Snap! is
planned to be certifiable as experimental-exhibition (E-E),
production light sport (S-LSA) or experimental light sport
(E-LSA).
In competition or in practice the Snap! burns 5 gph of premium
auto fuel, and little-to-no oil, making it inexpensive to own and
operate. With its low wing and bubble canopy the Snap! combines
classic styling with excellent visibility and easy handling.
The Snap! is designed to compete. Professional flight testing is
underway, to document optimum entry speeds and energy management
procedures appropriate to each aerobatic maneuver. Testing and
documentation for certification of the Snap! under ASTM Light Sport
Aircraft standards is also underway.
The Snap! Web site may be viewed at: snap.aero. Progress reports
on testing and documentation of the airplane will be reported on
Snap.Aero as new information becomes available. SportairUSA also
markets and distributes several light sport aircraft, including the
TL-2000 Sting and TL-3000 Sirius by TL-Ultralight, the Savage iCub
and Bobber by Zlin Aviation, and the SeaRey amphibian by
Progressive Aerodyne.