CZAW SportCruiser
Encyclopedia
The CZAW SportCruiser is a two seat, single engine, tricycle undercarriage, fixed-wing aircraft
that was introduced in 2006 by Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW), now named Czech Sport Aircraft. The aircraft is now often called the CSA SportCruiser.
In January 2010, the SportCruiser was added to the Piper Aircraft line as the PiperSport under a licencing agreement with Czech Sport Aircraft. This arrangement was terminated one year later in January 2011.
engine. Approved propellers include: Woodcomp SR3000 2 and 3 blade, Woodcomp Classic 3 blade and Sensenich 2 blade with nickel leading edge.
The SportCruiser was optionally available with a Ballistic Recovery Systems
parachute, auto pilot and Dynon or TruTrak EFIS.
The aircraft is capable of cruise at 133 mph (115 knots or 215 km/h) with a range of 630 statute miles (1020 km). No wind, standard day gross weight takeoff is achieved in 106 metres (350 ft) and landing in 123 metres (400 ft).
The SportCruiser is designed to fit into the ultralight or microlight category in several countries as well as the USA's Light-sport Aircraft
category. Between 2006 and 2010 it was available either as a kit
, or as a fully built production model. The SportCruiser is accepted as a US FAA LSA, FAA homebuilt kit and accepted as home-built kit in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the U.K.
.
The PiperSport is a minimally modified version of the existing SportCruiser and will continue to be manufactured by Czech Sport Aircraft, with Piper's manufacturing operation playing no part in the construction, although Piper will distribute parts. The changes to the aircraft are stronger nosegear, a Ballistic Recovery Systems
parachute and leather interior both as standard equipment, a cockpit sunshade and modified pitch controls, plus a custom paint scheme. Previously the Sport Cruiser was available as a completed aircraft or a kit, but Piper will offer it only as a completed aircraft, sold as a Special Light-sport aircraft
in the USA. It will be distributed by the Piper dealer network worldwide. Deliveries under the Piper name commenced with the initial customer receiving their aircraft on 13 April 2010 at Sun 'n Fun
. The aircraft is offered in three different trim and avionics configurations, with higher end models offering the Dynon D100 glass cockpit
and autopilot
. All models will be equipped with the Rotax 912S powerplant of 100 hp.
Piper indicated that they carried out extensive test flying on the SportCruiser before agreeing to add it to their line and that the aircraft's slow sales in the past were related to marketing issues and not any deficiencies with the aircraft design. Piper planned to market the aircraft to flight schools as well as private owners.
In analyzing the Piper decision to distribute the SportCrusier, instead of design its own LSA, AvWeb analyst Paul Bertorelli said:
On 12 January 2011, after selling a total of 45 aircraft, Piper announced that the PiperSport would be discontinued. Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger stated:
After the Piper announcement the PiperSport importer and dealer network indicated that the aircraft would be continued to be imported under a new name. Importer U.S. Sport Aircraft CEO Don Ayres stated that said his company was engaged in "business as usual...aircraft will continue to be sold and supported".
The aviation press has reacted with skepticism as to Piper's explanation for terminating its arrangements with CSA. AvWeb editor Paul Bertorelli said, "In my view, we are not getting the full story on its decision to exit the LSA segment. In a tersely worded statement a week before the show, Piper said it was terminating its relationship with the Czech supplier of its PiperSport LSA, citing "differences in business philosophies." That phrase is code speak for a significant behind-the-scenes blowup. In my opinion, either Piper concluded the margins on LSAs weren't worth the trouble and it would rather focus on jets or its Czech supplier was doing something it didn't like. Or both."
Czech Sport Aircraft reacted to the ending of the Piper deal by indicating that business would continue though the same distributor and dealer network and that the name of the aircraft would be changed back to Sport Cruiser. The company did indicate that the disagreement with Piper involved the geographical focus that Piper had put on marketing in the USA to the detriment of the rest of the world. The company indicated that it will continue to develop the aircraft and planned revisions to the spinner, canopy, elevator, ailerons and wingtips in the immediate future.
PiperSport
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
that was introduced in 2006 by Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW), now named Czech Sport Aircraft. The aircraft is now often called the CSA SportCruiser.
In January 2010, the SportCruiser was added to the Piper Aircraft line as the PiperSport under a licencing agreement with Czech Sport Aircraft. This arrangement was terminated one year later in January 2011.
Development
The aircraft is of all aluminum construction with a low wing configuration. It can be fitted with either a 100 hp Rotax 912ULS or a 120 hp Jabiru 3300Jabiru 3300
-References:* *...
engine. Approved propellers include: Woodcomp SR3000 2 and 3 blade, Woodcomp Classic 3 blade and Sensenich 2 blade with nickel leading edge.
The SportCruiser was optionally available with a Ballistic Recovery Systems
Ballistic Recovery Systems
Ballistic Recovery Systems is a manufacturer of aircraft ballistic parachutes .The company was formed in 1980 by Boris Popov after he survived a fall in a partly collapsed hang glider in 1975...
parachute, auto pilot and Dynon or TruTrak EFIS.
The aircraft is capable of cruise at 133 mph (115 knots or 215 km/h) with a range of 630 statute miles (1020 km). No wind, standard day gross weight takeoff is achieved in 106 metres (350 ft) and landing in 123 metres (400 ft).
The SportCruiser is designed to fit into the ultralight or microlight category in several countries as well as the USA's Light-sport Aircraft
Light-sport Aircraft
A Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
category. Between 2006 and 2010 it was available either as a kit
Homebuilt aircraft
Also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, homebuilt aircraft are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch," from plans, or from assembly kits.-Overview:...
, or as a fully built production model. The SportCruiser is accepted as a US FAA LSA, FAA homebuilt kit and accepted as home-built kit in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the U.K.
Production and sales
The SportCruiser has proved to be a popular aircraft amongst homebuilders in several countries. At April 2011, 70 examples were registered with the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation AuthorityCivil Aviation Authority
This is a list of national and supra-national civil aviation authorities.-See also:* Air route authority between the United States and the People's Republic of China* National Transportation Safety Board -External links:****...
.
PiperSport
On 21 January 2010 Piper Aircraft announced that they had licensed a derivative of the SportCruiser and will market it as the PiperSport. Piper CEO Kevin Gould said: "The PiperSport is an amazing entry-level aircraft that will bring new customers into Piper and lead the way for those customers to step up into more sophisticated and higher performance aircraft within our line over time."The PiperSport is a minimally modified version of the existing SportCruiser and will continue to be manufactured by Czech Sport Aircraft, with Piper's manufacturing operation playing no part in the construction, although Piper will distribute parts. The changes to the aircraft are stronger nosegear, a Ballistic Recovery Systems
Ballistic Recovery Systems
Ballistic Recovery Systems is a manufacturer of aircraft ballistic parachutes .The company was formed in 1980 by Boris Popov after he survived a fall in a partly collapsed hang glider in 1975...
parachute and leather interior both as standard equipment, a cockpit sunshade and modified pitch controls, plus a custom paint scheme. Previously the Sport Cruiser was available as a completed aircraft or a kit, but Piper will offer it only as a completed aircraft, sold as a Special Light-sport aircraft
Light-sport Aircraft
A Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
in the USA. It will be distributed by the Piper dealer network worldwide. Deliveries under the Piper name commenced with the initial customer receiving their aircraft on 13 April 2010 at Sun 'n Fun
Sun 'n Fun
Sun 'n Fun is a "Fly-in" and airshow held annually at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida, usually during the second or third week of April....
. The aircraft is offered in three different trim and avionics configurations, with higher end models offering the Dynon D100 glass cockpit
Glass cockpit
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, as opposed to the traditional style of analog dials and gauges...
and autopilot
Autopilot
An autopilot is a mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance from a human being. An autopilot can refer specifically to aircraft, self-steering gear for boats, or auto guidance of space craft and missiles...
. All models will be equipped with the Rotax 912S powerplant of 100 hp.
Piper indicated that they carried out extensive test flying on the SportCruiser before agreeing to add it to their line and that the aircraft's slow sales in the past were related to marketing issues and not any deficiencies with the aircraft design. Piper planned to market the aircraft to flight schools as well as private owners.
In analyzing the Piper decision to distribute the SportCrusier, instead of design its own LSA, AvWeb analyst Paul Bertorelli said:
On 12 January 2011, after selling a total of 45 aircraft, Piper announced that the PiperSport would be discontinued. Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger stated:
After the Piper announcement the PiperSport importer and dealer network indicated that the aircraft would be continued to be imported under a new name. Importer U.S. Sport Aircraft CEO Don Ayres stated that said his company was engaged in "business as usual...aircraft will continue to be sold and supported".
The aviation press has reacted with skepticism as to Piper's explanation for terminating its arrangements with CSA. AvWeb editor Paul Bertorelli said, "In my view, we are not getting the full story on its decision to exit the LSA segment. In a tersely worded statement a week before the show, Piper said it was terminating its relationship with the Czech supplier of its PiperSport LSA, citing "differences in business philosophies." That phrase is code speak for a significant behind-the-scenes blowup. In my opinion, either Piper concluded the margins on LSAs weren't worth the trouble and it would rather focus on jets or its Czech supplier was doing something it didn't like. Or both."
Czech Sport Aircraft reacted to the ending of the Piper deal by indicating that business would continue though the same distributor and dealer network and that the name of the aircraft would be changed back to Sport Cruiser. The company did indicate that the disagreement with Piper involved the geographical focus that Piper had put on marketing in the USA to the detriment of the rest of the world. The company indicated that it will continue to develop the aircraft and planned revisions to the spinner, canopy, elevator, ailerons and wingtips in the immediate future.
Variants
SportCruiser- Version built 2006-10 and 2011-present by Czech Sport Aircraft, available as a kit or completed aircraft and equipped with 100 hp Rotax 912ULS or 120 hp Jabiru 3300Jabiru 3300-References:* *...
engine.
PiperSport
- Version built 2010-2011 by Czech Sport Aircraft and marketed by Piper Aircraft, available only as a completed aircraft and equipped with 100 hp Rotax 912ULS engine. Discontinued in January 2011.
Specifications (SportCruiser)