Alto
Alto 100
Role Light sport aircraft
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Direct Fly s.r.o.
Introduction 2008
Status In production
Number built 41 (2015)

The Direct Fly Alto (English: High) is a Czech ultralight and light-sport aircraft, designed and produced by Direct Fly sro of Hluk. The aircraft is supplied as a standard or quick-build kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1][2][3]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight class and US light-sport aircraft rules. It features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear or optionally conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft is constructed from aluminum sheet, with a wing that has a span of 8.10 m (26.6 ft) and an area of 10.14 m2 (109.1 sq ft). Standard engines available are the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL, the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS and the 120 hp (89 kW) Jabiru 3300 four-stroke powerplants.[1][2]

A Magnum 501 rocket powered parachute system is under development for the aircraft.[4][5]

The Alto TG design was issued a Czech type certificate on 15 July 2008 and produced until 2022. The Alto NG replaced the original model in production in 2022.[6][7][8]

In 2011 the design was accepted as a Federal Aviation Administration approved special light-sport aircraft.[2][9]

The Alto NG replaced the original TG model in production in 2022.[6][8]

Operational history

The aircraft was introduced to the US light sport market at the 2010 Sun 'n Fun airshow.[10]

In July 2022 there were five Altos registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration.[11]

Variants

Alto TG
Tricycle landing gear version with a 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) gross weight.[12]
Alto TW
Tailwheel (conventional gear) model.[12]
Alto 100
Version for the American light sport aircraft market.
Alto NG
Improved "New Generation" version introduced in 2022. This model has a 600 kg (1,323 lb) gross weight, strengthened nosewheel landing gear leg and fuselage, longer engine mount and cowling for the Rotax 912 ULS engine, plus uses push-pull tubes in place of control cables.[8]

Specifications (Alto TG European ultralight)

Data from Bayerl and Direct Fly[1][12]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 6.15 m (20 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.10 m (26 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 10.14 m2 (109.1 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 287 kg (633 lb)
  • Gross weight: 472.5 kg (1,042 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 118 litres (26 imp gal; 31 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS four cylinder, liquid and air-cooled, four stroke aircraft engine, 75 kW (101 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 245 km/h (152 mph, 132 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 210 km/h (130 mph, 110 kn)
  • Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
  • g limits: +4/-2
  • Rate of climb: 5.5 m/s (1,080 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 46.6 kg/m2 (9.5 lb/sq ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 40. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 3 4 Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 42. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ↑ "Direct Fly s.r.o." Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "Alto". Czech Aviation 2012: 10.
  5. ↑ "Plane and Pilot directory". Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  6. 1 2 Direct Fly s.r.o. (2022). "Alto 912 TG". directfly.cz. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  7. ↑ Letecká amatérská asociace ČR. "Typové průkazy". laacr.cz. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 Direct Fly s.r.o. (2022). "Alto NG". directfly.cz. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  9. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (26 September 2016). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  10. ↑ Sobie, Brendan (23 April 2010), "Sun n' Fun: Light sport makers set sights on Europe", flightglobal.com, Washington DC
  11. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (19 July 2022). "Make / Model Inquiry". Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 DirectFly (2009). "Specifications". Retrieved 31 May 2012.
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