Bilsam Sky Cruiser

The Bilsam Sky Cruiser is a Polish microlight aircraft designed and produced by Bilsam Aviation of Poznań, introduced in the early 2000s. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft, as a kit and in the form of plans for amateur construction.[1]

Sky Cruiser
Role Microlight, Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplane and light sport aircraft
National origin Poland
Manufacturer Bilsam Aviation
Introduction early 2000s
Developed into BOT SC07 Speed Cruiser

The manufacturer's website is non-functional and has been so since about 2008, so it is not clear if the company is still in business.[2]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). With a Rotax 912 ULS engine it is an accepted US light sport aircraft and also a Transport Canada accepted Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplane.[1][3][4]

Originally shown as a pusher configuration design in 2003, by 2004 the aircraft had been redesigned. In its production configuration the Sky Cruiser features a cantilever high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cabin with doors for access, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1]

The aircraft is made from composite material. Its 9.0 m (29.5 ft) span wing mounts flaps and has a wing area of 10.35 m2 (111.4 sq ft). The standard engine used is the 100 hp (75 kW) Suzuki automotive conversion powerplant.[1]

The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 250 kg (550 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (990 lb), giving a useful load of 200 kg (440 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is 157 kg (346 lb).[1]

The Sky Cruiser was redesigned by BOT Aircraft as the BOT SC07 Speed Cruiser.[5]

Operational history

In June 2015 one example was registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration and two in Canada registered with Transport Canada.[6][7]

Specifications (Sky Cruiser)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 10.35 m2 (111.4 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 7.82:1
  • Empty weight: 250 kg (551 lb)
  • Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Suzuki four cylinder, liquid-cooled, four stroke automotive engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed composite, ground adjustable

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 208 km/h (129 mph, 112 kn)
  • Stall speed: 64 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
  • Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 43.5 kg/m2 (8.9 lb/sq ft)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 128. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Bilsam Aviation". Internet Archive Wayback Machine. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (30 April 2015). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  4. Transport Canada (21 May 2015). "Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  5. Bushell, Susan; Willis, David; Winchester, Jim (2017). Jane's All the World's Aircraft Development & Production (2017-2018). IHS Market. p. 515. ISBN 978-0-7106-3250-0.
  6. Federal Aviation Administration (2 June 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  7. Transport Canada (2 June 2015). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
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