Flywhale Aircraft Flywhale

The Flywhale Aircraft Flywhale is a two-seat amphibious sports aircraft designed and built in Germany by Flywhale Aircraft.

Flywhale
Role Sports amphibian
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Flywhale Aircraft
First flight 13 September 2013
Number built 2 (2015)

Design and development

The Flywhale, built mainly from composite materials, is a flying boat style amphibian, with a single step hull and sponsons rather than wing tip floats. It accommodates two in side-by-side seating fitted with dual control. The design also provides room for two people to sleep in the fuselage.[1][2] A large, one-piece canopy hinges forward for access[3] and there are separate, removable side windows. Behind the seats is a baggage area. The Flywhale has short-legged, tricycle landing gear[1] with mainwheels retracting backwards into the sponsons.[3] It can operate on land, water and snow-civered surfaces.[2]

Its high cantilever wings are trapezoidal in plan and can be removed for transport. Its empennage is cruciform, with the horizontal tail part-way up a triangular fin and rudder. A 54.8 kW (73.5 hp) Rotax 912 ULS flat-four engine is mounted on a necked pylon over the wing in tractor configuration.[1] This originally drove a two blade propeller[1] but more recently a three-bladed one has replaced it.[3] A BRS ballistic parachute is an option.[1]

The Flywhale flew for the first time on 13 September 2013.[1] A second airframe has been completed, including modifications suggested by the flight trials of the first,[1] and this flew in the summer of 2015.[3]

Variants
Adventure
Standard version as in Specifications
Expedition
Fuel capacity increased to 170 l (37 imp gal; 45 US gal) with tanks in sponsons, extending endurance to 10 hr 0 min and range to 2,000 km (1,200 mi). Both seats recline. Fresh water storage in sponsons.

Specifications (Adventure)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2015-16[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Capacity: One passenger
  • Length: 6.45 m (21 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.00 m (29 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 2.35 m (7 ft 9 in)
  • Empty weight: 315 kg (694 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 495 kg (1,091 lb) without rescue parachute
  • Fuel capacity: 110 l (24 imp gal; 29 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 ULS flat-four, 73.5 kW (98.6 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed , variable pitch

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
  • Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 264 km/h (164 mph, 143 kn)
  • Endurance: 6 hr 0 min
  • g limits: +4/-2

References
  1. Gunston, Bill (2015). Jane's All the World's Aircraft : development & production : 2015-16. IHS Global. p. 265. ISBN 978-0-7106-3135-0.
  2. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 56. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. "Flywhale Aircraft". Retrieved 6 November 2015.
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