Pipistrel Sinus

Development

The development of the Sinus began in 1994 in close collaboration with the Slovenian firm Albastar Ltd. A year later, the Sinus was unveiled at AERO Friedrichshafen 1995, with first flight of the prototype taking place in 1996.

In 2001, Philippe Zen and Thomas Knowles flew a Sinus at the World Air Games in Spain and won first place in the two-seat category.

Design

The Sinus is a two-seat, ultra-light, high-wing, cantilever monoplane. It is primarily built from composite materials and is capable of soaring. The variable-pitch propeller (Pipistrel VARIO) can be feathered in order to diminish the air resistance in non-powered flight.

The Pipistrel Sinus comes with either nose-wheel or taildragger landing gear. Engine models available are the Rotax 503, 582 and 912.

Variants

Sinus 447

Rotax 447 powered variant for the Slovenian market.

Sinus 503

Rotax 503 powered variant with a variable-pitch folding propeller.

Sinus 582

As the 503 but fitted with a Rotax 582.

Sinus 912

Rotax 912 powered variant.

Sinus FLEX

Option features two wingtip sets to convert from motor glider to sport cruiser in minutes. With the short wing tips the aircraft is the same as the Pipistrel Virus. The wing tips can also be used on any existing Sinus and not just new-built aircraft.

Specifications (Sinus 912)

General characteristics

Crew: two

Length: 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in)

Wingspan: 14.97 m (49 ft 1 in)

Height: 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)

Empty weight: 284 kg (626 lb)

Loaded weight: 472.5 kg (1,042 lb)

Max. takeoff weight: 544 kg (1,200 lb)

* Fuel capacity: 2×30 L (2×8 U.S. gal)

Baggage capacity:

Powerplant: 1 × Rotax Rotax 912UL 4-cylinder, 4-stroke liquid-cooled engine, 80 hp (60 kW)

Performance

Never exceed speed: 225 km/h (120 kt)

Cruise speed: 200 km/h (110 kt)

Stall speed: 63 km/h (34 kt)

Range: 1,200 km (650 nmi)

Service ceiling: 8,800 m (28,900 ft)

Rate of climb: 6.2 m/s (1,220 ft/min)