Evektor SportStar

The SportStar and EuroStar are a family of a two-seat, light sport aircraft (LSA), manufactured by Evektor-Aerotechnik of the Czech Republic and powered by a Rotax 912ULS, 100 horsepower (75 kW) engine.[1][2]

SportStar
SportStar
Role Light Sport Aircraft
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Evektor-Aerotechnik
Status In production
Produced 1997–present
Variants Evektor EPOS
Eurostar EV-97
Eurostar EV-97 in flight
EV-97 Eurostar showing the large hinged clear view cockpit canopy
SportStar instrument panel
SportStar wing showing the aircraft's split flap arrangement
The Harmony LSA at Friedrichsfhafen 2018

The SportStar was the first FAA-approved special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) and was named "S-LSA Aircraft of the Year" in 2011 by AeroNews Network.[1] According to Flight International, the SportStar held the number-one seller spot in 2005, which the periodical attributed to its high range of options and overall affordability.[3] The Eurostar was one of the 10 most sold ultralight in Germany in 2014 according to Aerokurier.[4]

Development

The SportStar and EuroStar were developed together; while the former was specifically developed to meet the needs of the light-sports aircraft (LSA) sector of the general aviation market, the lighter EuroStar was designed for the ultralight-microlight (UL-ML) portion of the European market.[3] The two aircraft, which are grouped together in the same family by their manufacturer, are visually similar; however, the SportStar is slightly heavier and larger aircraft than the EuroStar, the former having a greater wingspan and a marginally wider fuselage. The 550kg maximum weight of the SportStar was a deliberate choice by Evektor so that the aircraft would be compliant with the relatively stringent LSA limitations enacted in countries such as Australia and Canada.[3]

The SportStar RTC design was based on the EASA's JAR-VLA certified aircraft standards; Evektor claims it to reflect the latest development in design, safety and cockpit comfort present amongst modern light sport aircraft.[5] Furthermore, according to Evektor, the SportStar was developed to achieve relatively low costs of operation, along with ease of maintenance, and to specifically satisfy the needs of flight schools. It is claimed by the manufacturer that the aircraft is capable of achieving half of the typical operating costs incurred by contemporary training aircraft.[5] According to Flight International, the cost of consumables for the type is comparable to those of a typical car, while the overall operating costs, including depreciation, engine and maintenance reserves, is roughly around €45 per flight hour if flown for a typical 200 hours per year.[3]

Following the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finalisation of the Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft rule in April 2005, the SportStar became the first aircraft to be accepted in the United States as an LSA. The FAA has accepted the SportStar, SportStar Plus, SportStar SL, SportStar Max and the Harmony as LSAs.[6] By the end of 2006, a total of 600 SportStars were reportedly in service around the world.[7][8]

The SportStar is certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.[9][10] The EuroStar is not certified by a single civil aviation authority, meaning that its certification is specific to each country, for example Microlight in UK[11] or ULM (ultra light aircraft) in France[12] An Evektor press release stated that the EuroStar is "type certified" by the Deutscher Aero Club (DAeC).[13]

Design

The SportStar is a two-seat light sport aircraft, intended for recreational flying, touring, basic flight training, and towing roles.[3] It possesses a relatively low-mounted wing along with a bubble canopy, which provides high level of exterior visibility, a particularly desirable attribute for a trainer aircraft. The SportStar is capable of towing sailplanes up to 1544 lbs (700 kg) gross weight, as well as towing banners of up to 1479 sq ft (140 m2).[14] It can also be configured as an amphibian when outfitted with suitable floats.[3] For the safety of its occupants, the SportStar can be furnished with a rocket-boosted recovery parachute, which fires upwards and sideways through an aperture in the forward engine panel; this system, which is an option, is manually triggered by the pilot via a handle in the cockpit.[3][5]

The SportStar is powered by a single Rotax 912ULS air-cooled piston engine, which typically drives a three-bladed VZLU V230C variable-pitch propeller, although alternative propeller designs of both fixed and variable pitches can also be fitted.[5] This engine can be operated using automotive-standard unleaded petrol; avgas and mogas can also be used for limited periods if required. A push/pull throttle lever is the primary engine control, this being centrally mounted in the base of the instrument panel; it incorporates an uncommon twist function to make fine adjustments to the engine's rpm without moving the lever.[3] A centrally-located propeller lever mounted on the cockpit floor is used to adjust the pitch of the propeller. Electrical power is provided by the engine's integrated generator that charges a single 12V battery.[3]

The SportStar comprises a mostly-metal construction, being primarily composed of anodized, corrosion-proofed aluminum; a limited number of composite materials have also been used in areas such as panels.[3] As a consequence of the high use of conventional aluminium, the airframe is relatively easy to repair as well as affordable to construct.[3] The airframe uses a pop-riveted and bonded construction, which the company claims will improve fatigue characteristics and result in a longer service life. The company has also claimed that this construction technique results in better crashworthiness qualities, as well as the elimination of rivet zippering during an accident, and results in quieter noise levels in-flight due to the elimination of oil-canning and flexing tendencies.[15]

The cockpit is provided with electrically-operated flight instrumentation, along with a VHF radio unit, transponder, GNSS and ILS navigation systems, and lighting.[3] In a typical arrangement, five standard flight instruments are present in the console, although the layout of this instrumentation and the installation of various other instruments are options available to customers. Conventional analogue engine indicators are installed to the right of the instrumentation console. The cockpit can be heated via ducted engine air, while cooling is provided via compact openable panels in the canopy.[3] The wing, which was developed in-house, features manually-actuated split flaps that can be set to four positions as standard; electrically-actuated flaps are available as an option. Early production aircraft had a centrally-mounted single fuel tank behind the seats with a maximum capacity of 65 litres; this was replaced on later-built aircraft by a pair of integral fuel tanks within the wings for a maximum capacity of 120 litres, thus allowing the fuselage space freed up to be used for baggage or other equipment.[3]

Variants
EuroStar SL
Model for the European ultralight category, with a gross weight of 1,041 lb (472 kg)[2][16]
EuroStar SL+
Version of the EuroStar SL with a new wing and integral fuel tanks, bigger baggage compartment and lower empty weight by 8 kg (18 lb).[17] More than 1,000 have been built and it was one of the top ten ultralights sold in Germany in 2014 according to Aerokurier.[18][19]
EuroStar SLW
Model for the European ultralight category, with a gross weight of 1,041 lb (472 kg). It combines the EuroStar fuselage with the wing and stabilizer from the Harmony.[17][20]
Harmony
Model for the US LSA market, based on the Harmony airframe, with enlarged ailerons and rudder to improve crosswind capabilities, an improved wing, winglets and tail, wider and longer cockpit, as well as refined wheel pants and other fairings.[2][17]
SportStar
Initial model
SportStar SL
Improved model
SportStar Max
Version for the US LSA market with a gross weight of 1,320 lb (599 kg)[1][2]
SportStar RTC
SportStar RTC was developed to meet EASA VLA certification and intended for use in flight training.[21]
Evektor EPOS
Electric aircraft version, using the SportStar RTC fuselage and a new wing design.[17]

Specifications (SportStar Max)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11[22]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 5.98 m (19 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.645 m (28 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 2.475 m (8 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 10.6 m2 (114 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: NACA 2315 mod[23]
  • Empty weight: 309 kg (681 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 118 L (31 US gal; 26 imp gal) usable / 85 kg (187 lb) max fuel weight
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS four-cylinder air and liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed, piston engine, 73.4 kW (98.4 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed VZLU V230C ground adjustable propeller[5]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 213 km/h (132 mph, 115 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 204 km/h (127 mph, 110 kn) at 75% power
  • Stall speed: 83 km/h (52 mph, 45 kn) power off flaps up
  • Never exceed speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
  • Range: 1,300 km (810 mi, 700 nmi) with max fuel
  • Endurance: 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Service ceiling: 4,720 m (15,490 ft)
  • g limits: +6/-3
  • Rate of climb: 5.2 m/s (1,020 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 56.6 kg/m2 (11.6 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.128 kW/kg (0.078 hp/lb)
  • Take-off run: 190 m (623 ft)
  • Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 365 m (1,198 ft)[5]
  • Landing run: 180 m (591 ft)

Avionics

Garmin G3X fit
  • 10.6" PFD - Primary Flight Display (GDU 460)
  • 10.6" MFD - Multi Function Display (GDU 460)
  • 2 ADAHRS - Air Data and Attitude and Heading Reference System (GSU 25)
  • Magnetometer (GMU 22)
  • EMS (GEA 24)
  • OAT sensor (GTP 59)
  • GPS antenas, Synthetic Vision, backup battery
  • Back-up Air speed indicator + Altimeter (dia 2 ¼")
  • COMM Garmin GTR225A + Transponder GTX328 (mode S) + ACK A-30
  • Compass SIRS

References
  1. Evektor, spol. s r.o. (n.d.). "SportStar Max Overview". Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  2. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, pages 47-48. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. Collins, Peter (19 July 2005). "FLIGHT TEST FLY OFF: Evektor SportStar, Flight Design CT, Tecnam Sierra - Sporting heroes". Flight International.
  4. Johnson, Dan (27 September 2014). "Germany's Top 10 Ultralights by Aerokurier". ByDanJohnson.com. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  5. "Technical Data". Evektor. 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  6. Godlewski, Meg (22 September 2006). "Flying the Evektor SportStar". generalaviationnews.com.
  7. "Evektor Ups Gross Weight Rating Of SportStar LSA". aero-news.net. 9 January 2007.
  8. Federal Aviation Administration (14 March 2023). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  9. "Evektor SportStar RTC Aircraft - Aerospace Technology". www.aerospace-technology.com. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  10. "Evektor Harmony Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) - Aerospace Technology". www.aerospace-technology.com. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  11. "Microlights | Civil Aviation Authority". www.caa.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  12. "ULM nouvelle règlementation 2019" (PDF).
  13. Urbanová, Kateřina Ševčíková (28 April 2022). "EVEKTOR REVEALS SPORTSTAR RTC WITH ROTAX 912iSc & NEW HIGH-TECH COCKPIT AT AERO 2022". ACE. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  14. Evektor-Aerotechnik. "Glider Towing". Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  15. Evektor-Aerotechnik. "Advanced Airframe with Long Service Life". Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  16. Evektor. "EuroStar SL". Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  17. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, pages 48-50. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  18. "EuroStar SL+". www.evektor.com. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  19. Johnson, Dan (27 September 2014). "Germany's Top 10 Ultralights by Aerokurier". ByDanJohnson.com. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  20. Evektor. "EuroStar SLW". Archived from the original on 31 October 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  21. "SportStar RTC". evektor.com. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  22. Jackson, Paul, ed. (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11 (101st ed.). London: Jane's Information Group. pp. 165–166. ISBN 978-0710629166.
  23. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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