Aircraft

Swiss Aerolight Nimbus

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Nimbus

An evolution of the Catto CA 15 by Craig Catto, Dominique Loup built all the pre-series equipment of Swiss Aerolight Nimbus 001 in 1985 and John Bonvin built all the other pre-series equipment. For advanced pilots, the only two European copies were ordered by Dominique Loup and John Bonvin.

John Bonvin made structural modifications in the static distribution of constraints. A better distribution of the loads was obtained by redrawing the rear spar and the stabilizers of the trapezium.

Bonvin developed the Nimbus 2. The geometry has been completely redesigned to get + 8g’s in positive without permanent deformation and without breaking. The structure is to 11g ultimate.

Nimbus 2

Development was abandoned.

Nimbus
Wing area: 15 m²
Wing span: 10.20 m
Aspect ratio: 7
Hang glider weight: 40 kg
Minimum speed: 28 km/h

Swing Tango / BTA Top-Air Sro Tango

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BTA 4 Tango

The Tango features a composite fuselage with a large cockpit and large doors. The wooden wings are strut braced. The pilot is almost lying down, with a Cessna style steering column.

BTA 4 Tango
Empty weight: 276 kg
Wing span: 10.2 m
Wing area: 12.9 sq.m
Fuel capacity: 75 lt
Certification: vVz
Engine: Rotax 912, 80 hp
MAUW: 450 kg
Seats: 2
Max speed: 220 kph
Cruise speed: 160 kph
Minimum speed: 65 kph
Climb rate: 6 m/s
Fuel consumption: 10 lt/hr
Price (1998): 73,500 DM

Swift Aircraft Sport

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One Swift Aircraft Corp Sport was built, in 1929, registered NX4647 c/n 1000. It was a two-place open cockpit biplane.

Engine: 100hp Kinner K-5
Wingspan: 29’0″
Length: 21’3″
Useful load: 618 lb
Max speed: 115 mph
Cruise: 100 mph
Stall: 38 mph
Range: 620 mi

Engine: Wright J-5
Useful load: 620 lb
Max speed: 132 mph
Cruise: 115 mph
Stall: 41 mph
Range: 600 mi
Seats: 2

Swift S.1

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The GFRP Swift, which first flew in 1991, was designed as a sailplane for contest aerobatics (about 10 g). It has optional wingtip extensions which increase the span to 15.0 m / 49.2 ft. The main wheel is retractable. Approach control is by top surface Schempp-Hirth type airbrakes. Moving tail surfaces are fabric covered.

S-1
L/DMax: 28 127 kph / 68 kt / 78 mph
MinSink: 0.97 m/s / 3.18 fps / 1.88 kt
Wing span: 12.7m / 41.6ft
Wing area: 11.69sq.m / 125.8sq.ft
Empty Weight: 300kg / 660lb
Payload: 110kg / 242lb
Gross Weight: 410kg / 902lb
Wing Load: 35.07kg/sq.m / 7.17lb/sq.ft
Aspect ratio: 14.3
Airfoil: NACA 64/ 1-412
Seats: 1

S.1A

Swick T

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A modified version of the Taylorcraft for the amateur constructor.

Engine: 180 hp
HP range: 100-180
Height: 6.25 ft
Length: 22.25 ft
Wing span: 27.5 ft
Wing area: 144.4 sq.ft
Fuel cap: 26 USG
Weight empty: 900 lb
Gross: 1280 lb
Speed max: 140 mph
Cruise: 130 mph
Range: 390 sm
Stall: 42 mph
ROC: 1800 fpm
Take-off dist: 400 ft
Landing dist: 500 ft
Service ceiling: 15,000 ft
Seats: 2
Landing gear: tail wheel