Czech-Made Part 103 Bird Weighs Just 161 Pounds Empty!

Cruising Paradise City in Lakeland, one runs into all sorts of interesting flying machines. This year, a tiny bird from the Czech Republic stood out not because of a spiffy paint job, N-number or tundra tires, but rather because of its tiny size, 161 pounds empty weight (in mono wheel configuration), and composite, metal and ceconite construction.

This cool little bird has actually been for sale in the US for a year, distributed by LSA America out of Sanford, North Carolina. In response to customer feedback and daily use by customers, it's received some interesting upgrades, including an enclosed cockpit and upgraded instrument panel.

Another interesting feature is the aircraft's availability in three undercarriage configurations -- conventional taildragger, tri-gear, and a mono wheel setup with small outrigger wheels at the wing tips.

The aircraft's engine is also a Czech design, the Fly200 from FlyEngine. One would think a Rotax engine might be an option, but no manufacturer produces this size of engine, and Rotax long ago canceled production and sales of engines smaller than the 582. The model engine in use on the ZJ-Viera is the FlyEngine F200E with a displacement of 200cc, 27 horsepower, a 3:1 belt-drive reduction system, Walbro carburetor, chromed exhaust, electric start and total weight of 14 kilograms. Attached to the front of the engine is a composite two-blade fixed-pitch prop and feeding the beast is a 3.2 gallon tank.

The specs on the ZJ-Viera, by the numbers -- 24.6 foot wingspan and 98 square foot wing area, length is 16.4 feet, gross weight of 401 pounds for a wing loading of 1.6386 pounds per square foot. Stall speed is 27 mph, max cruise is 63 mph and Vne tops out at 81 mph. Rate of climb with a 170 pound pilot is 700 feet per minute.

Currently sold as a completed ready-to-fly aircraft, the ZJ-Viera's base price is $17,500, which includes white color paint, a five-point harness, engine and propeller, an airspeed indicator and a one year or 100 hour factory warranty on workmanship and materials of the airframe. Engine, prop and avionics warranties come from the respective manufacturers. Options include the undercarriage configurations, mechanical brakes, spinner and color schemes, as well as a number of additional instruments and a ballistic recovery system, a full enclosure and even a heated seat. There are plans to offer the aircraft in kit form but at press time kits are not available.

FMI: www.lsaamerica.com, www.flyengines.com/eng/f200.html