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CZAW SportCruiser / PS-28 Cruiser
Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser
Piper PiperSport
The SportCruiser is fitted with the 100HP Rotax 912ULS engine and a Woodcomp Klassic 170/3/R propeller, either ground adjustable or electric constant speed. The Jabiru 3300 of 120 hp is optional.
The SportCruiser has an optional Ballistic Recovery Systems parachute, auto pilot and Dynon or TruTrak EFIS. The aircraft is capable of cruising at 214 km/h (133 mph) with a range of 1,014 km (630 mi). No wind, standard day gross weight takeoff is achieved in 106 m (348 ft) and landing in 123 m (404 ft).
The SportCruiser is designed to fit into the ultralight or microlight category in several countries as well as the United States' Light-sport Aircraft category. Between 2006 and 2010 it was available either as a kit, or as a fully built production model. The SportCruiser is accepted as a US FAA LSA, FAA homebuilt kit and the UK under BCAR Section "S".
Comments from people who have flown the SportCruiser are that it is a well mannered aircraft, positively stable about all axis, with nicely balanced controls. The seating is very comfortable with room to accommodate tall people and long legs. With a very user friendly cockpit environment, this is a confidence-inspiring aircraft to fly, yet sparkling enough in its handling to satisfy the most sporting aviator. With 10 new US registrations, the SportCruiser numbers 192 flying in the US in 2012. Base price 2012: $119,000.
On 21 January 2010 Piper Aircraft announced that they had licensed a derivative of the SportCruiser and would market it as the PiperSport. Piper CEO Kevin Gould said: "The PiperSport is an amazing entry-level aircraft that will bring new customers into Piper and lead the way for those customers to step up into more sophisticated and higher performance aircraft within our line over time."
The PiperSport is a minimally modified version of the existing SportCruiser. The plan was that it would continue to be manufactured by Czech Sport Aircraft, with Piper's manufacturing operation playing no part in the construction, although Piper was distributing parts. The changes to the aircraft are stronger nosegear, a Ballistic Recovery Systems parachute and leather interior both as standard equipment, a cockpit sunshade and modified pitch controls, plus a custom paint scheme. Previously the Sport Cruiser was available as a completed aircraft or a kit, but Piper offered it only as a completed aircraft, sold as a Special Light-sport aircraft in the USA. It was distributed by the Piper dealer network worldwide. Deliveries under the Piper name commenced with the initial customer receiving their aircraft on 13 April 2010 at Sun 'n Fun. The aircraft was offered in three different trim and avionics configurations, with higher end models offering the Dynon Avionics D100 glass cockpit and autopilot. All models were delivered with the Rotax 912S powerplant of 100 hp (75 kW). The price in 2010 was USD$119,000 – $139,000.
PiperSport LSA aircraft exhibited at the 2011 Sun 'n Fun show at Lakeland Linder International Airport Florida
Piper indicated that they had carried out extensive test flying on the SportCruiser before agreeing to add it to their line and that the aircraft's slow sales in the past had been related to marketing issues and not any deficiencies with the aircraft design. Piper planned to market the aircraft to flight schools as well as private owners.
On 12 January 2011, after selling a total of 45 aircraft, Piper announced that the PiperSport would be discontinued. Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger stated:
After a year working with Czech Sport Aircraft, Piper determined that it is in our company’s best long-term interests to discontinue the business relationship which distributed a Light Sport Aircraft manufactured by the Czech company and distributed under Piper’s brand by a separate distributor network. Clearly, the company has a different business perspective and approach to the market than Czech Sport Aircraft.
After the Piper announcement the PiperSport importer and dealer network indicated that the aircraft would be continued to be imported under a new name. Importer U.S. Sport Aircraft CEO Don Ayres stated that said his company was engaged in "business as usual...aircraft will continue to be sold and supported".
Czech Sport Aircraft reacted to the ending of the Piper deal by indicating that business would continue through the same distributor and dealer network and that the name of the aircraft would be changed back to SportCruiser. The company did indicate that the disagreement with Piper involved the geographical focus that Piper had put on marketing in the US to the detriment of the rest of the world. The company indicated that it will continue to develop the aircraft and planned revisions to the spinner, canopy, elevator, ailerons and wingtips in the immediate future.
Variants:
SportCruiser
Version built 2006–10 and 2011–present by Czech Sport Aircraft, available as a kit or completed aircraft and equipped with 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS or 120 hp (89 kW) Jabiru 3300 engine.
PiperSport
Version built 2010–2011 by Czech Sport Aircraft and marketed by Piper Aircraft, available only as a completed aircraft and equipped with 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS engine. Discontinued in January 2011.
PS-28 Cruiser
Version built for EASA CS.LSA certification with 600kg gross weight limit.
CZAW SportCruiser
Engine: 1 × Rotax 912 ULS2, 73.5 kW (98.6 hp)
Propeller: 3-bladed Woodcomp Klassic 170/3/R
Wingspan: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
Wing area: 12.3 sq.m (132 sq ft)
Length: 6.62 m (21 ft 9 in)
Height: 2.315 m (7 ft 7 in)
Empty weight: 388 kg (855 lb)
Gross weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)
Fuel capacity: 114 litres (25 imp gal; 30 US gal)
Maximum speed: 220 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
Cruise speed: 172 km/h (107 mph, 93 kn) 75% power at 3000 ft
Stall speed: 55 km/h (34 mph, 30 kn)
Never exceed speed: 255 km/h (158 mph, 138 kn)
Range: 953 km (592 mi, 515 nmi) with 30 minute reserve
Endurance: 5:25
Rate of climb: 4.2 m/s (830 ft/min)
Crew: one
Capacity: one passenger
SportCruiser SC3D
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