The Pipistrel Panthera is designed to be a lightweight, highly efficient four-place aircraft. The gasoline powered version is intended to cruise at 202 kn (374 km/h) for over 1,000 nmi (1,852 km) with a 10 US gph fuel burn.[1][3][4] There are two other versions planned, one with a 145kw hybrid power system, and the other with a 145kw pure electric system. These two latter variants will only seat two people to accommodate the electric systems.[5]
| Pipistrel Panthera | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pipistrel Panthera roll-out | |
| Role | |
| National origin | Slovenia |
| Manufacturer | Pipistrel |
| First flight | Planned for Fall 2012 |
| Introduction | 2013[1] Part 23 certification anticipated for 2015[2] |
| Status | In development |
Design and development
In May 2011, Pipistrel was working on constructing the prototype, powered by the Lycoming engine, with all of the aircraft molds already completed. The first flight was planned for Autumn of the same year, with the aircraft being tested the following summer with the electric technologies derived from the Green Flight Challenge electric Taurus project. It will be initially offered in kit form, and Pipistrel indicated that construction will take place in Italy.[6]
Features of the aircraft will include an airframe parachute designed for use at high speeds and low altitudes[7] and a glass cockpit.[1] The Pipistrel Panthera has an all-composite airframe, made from carbon fiber, glass fiber, and kevlar, and it sports trailing-link electric landing gear made of titanium and aluminum composites[8], which will be of benefit for operations from grass runways.[9]
Operational History
A test article was introduced at AERO 2012 in April 2012, and will be displayed at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow in 2012. First test flights are scheduled for Fall 2012.[10]
Specifications (Pipistrel Panthera)
Data from manufacturer’s website[11]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 4
- Length: 26 ft 6 in (8.07 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 8 in (10.86 m)
- Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
- Wing area: 117 sq ft (10.9 m2)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,646 lb (1,200 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-390 Piston, 210 hp (195 kW). Variants will include a hybrid system and a pure electric option, each 145 kW (194 hp).
Performance
- Cruise speed: 232 mph (374 km/h, 202 kn)
- Stall speed: 68 mph (109 km/h, 59 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 253 mph (407 km/h, 220 kn)
- Range: 1,200 mi (1,900 km, 1,000 nmi) , Hybrid range is 758 mi; 659 nmi (1,220 km) , Electric range is 249 mi; 216 nmi (400 km)
- Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m) ; ceiling for hybrid and electric versions is 13,123 ft (4,000 m).
- Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s)
References
- ^ a b c "Panthera: Pipistrel's new four seater electric plane for clean aviation". Retrieved 2011-11-25.
- ^ "Ladies and gentlemen, we proudly present.... the PANTHERA!". Retrieved 2012-04-19.
- ^ "Panthera: Is This The Plane To Catch?". Retrieved 2011-11-26.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
tech_vehiwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Travel made effortless with Pipistrel's new four seater Panthera". Retrieved 2011-11-26.
- ^ Template:Fr"Des Nouvelles du Panthera". Retrieved 2011-11-25.
- ^ Pipistrel Panthera (Flash video) (Youtube). Friedrichshafen, Germany: Pipistrel USA. 2012. Event occurs at 1:40. Retrieved 19-April-2012.
{{cite AV media}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|trans_title=(help) - ^ Pipistrel Panthera (Flash video) (Youtube). Friedrichshafen, Germany: Pipistrel USA. 2012. Event occurs at 1:15. Retrieved 19-April-2012.
{{cite AV media}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Pipistrel Panthera Revealed (Flash video) (Youtube). Ajdovščina, Slovenia: AvWeb. 2012. Event occurs at 1:40. Retrieved 19-April-2012.
{{cite AV media}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Pipistrel unviels Panthera". Sport Aviation: 14. June 2012.
- ^ "Technical sheet". Retrieved 2011-11-25.