Sapphire Aircraft Australia Sapphire LSA

The Sapphire Aircraft Australia Sapphire LSA is an Australian ultralight aircraft that was designed and produced by Sapphire Aircraft Australia. It was introduced in the late 1980s and still in production as recently as 2010, but now out of production. The Sapphire was supplied as complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1][2]

Sapphire LSA
Role Ultralight aircraft
National origin Australia
Manufacturer Sapphire Aircraft Australia
Introduction late 1980s
Status Production completed (2012)
Unit cost
A$37,900 (assembled, 2011)

Design and development

The Sapphire complies with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit with a bubble canopy or, optionally, an open cockpit with a windshield, fixed conventional landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft is made from fibreglass, epoxy resin and extruded foam. Its 8.84 m (29.0 ft) span wing has an area of 9.132 m2 (98.30 sq ft). The standard engine fitted is the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 two-stroke powerplant.[1][2]

In the early 2010s period a two-seat version and a motorglider variant were being developed.[1][2]

Specifications (Sapphire LSA)

Data from Bayerl[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 8.84 m (29 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 9.132 m2 (98.30 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 210 kg (463 lb)
  • Gross weight: 360 kg (794 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 58 litres (13 imp gal; 15 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 37 kW (50 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 181 km/h (112 mph, 98 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 165 km/h (103 mph, 89 kn)
  • Stall speed: 38 km/h (24 mph, 21 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 5.8 m/s (1,140 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 39.4 kg/m2 (8.1 lb/sq ft)
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References
  1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011–12, page 75. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015–16, page 79. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
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