Belgium based Sonaca Aircraft has commenced flight testing of improved version of its Sonaca 200 light single two-seater aircraft. Com...
Belgium based Sonaca Aircraft has commenced flight testing of improved version of its Sonaca 200 light single two-seater aircraft.
Compared to the first amateur construction prototype unveiled in 2015, the improved variant have 80% of the structure redesigned to meet market and EASA certification requirements.
The Flight Test Aircraft 2 (FTA2) which was assembled in Sonaca's Gosselies factory in Belgium took to skies on its maiden flight on June 20.
The four month flight test campaign will be carried out in Belgium and France (Avignon). The FTA 1 is entirely dedicated for ground tests.
The ground and flight trials are being conducted with the aim of obtaining the EASA certification by September.
The shape of the aircraft, the wing profile and the choice of materials have been maintained. The redesign enabled a 750 kg maximum take-off mass with a 4.4 G load factor, a 25% increase compared to the initial aircraft.
The aircraft structures have been reinforced. The main spars of the wing, the connection to the fuselage and the central spar have been redesigned and some aluminum alloys have been modified in order to take account of the aerodynamic loads, material fatigue as well as corrosion-related aspects.
The changes also focus on strengthening the canopy arches, the landing gear, the vertical and horizontal empennage, including its connection to the fuselage, the propeller, the braking system as well as the instrumentation and fuel system.
The Sonaca 200 is a low-wing, side by side seat, fully metallic aircraft intended for pilot training and leisure flights equipped with a fixed tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose gear. Its conventional structure is composed of advanced aluminum alloy frames, stringers and sheets, which will provide very effective corrosion protection.
All its control surfaces are actuated through push-rod mechanisms. The aircraft features certified brakes, electrical flaps and Garmin instrumentation.
It is designed for a cruise speed 115 knots and can achieve a climb rate of 750 feet/min. The multi-fuel 115 hp Rotax 914 piston engine consumes 20 liters of fuel per hour and enable a 800 nautical miles flight range.
