Top speed 325 km/h Wingspan 8 m Cruise speed 318 km/h Engine type Reciprocating engine | Range 1,480 km Weight 550 kg Length 6.5 m | |
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The Sequoia F.8L Falco is an Italian-designed lightweight 2-seater aerobatic aircraft.
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Design and development
The aircraft was designed by the renowned Italian designer Stelio Frati in 1955, and originally built in Italy by Aviamilano then Aeromere and later Laverda.
The Falco is currently sold in kit or plans form for amateur construction by the Sequoia Aircraft Company of Richmond, Virginia. The aircraft is single-engined, propeller driven and designed for private and general aviation use.
The design was adopted in the US in the 1980s and converted to kit form. The aircraft is widely considered to be one of the best handling, strongest, and most aesthetically pleasing designs ever made available to home builders.
Performance includes a 175 knot cruise speed and 6g aerobatic capability.
The Sequoia Falco F8L is constructed of spruce and typically Finnish birch plywood. The structure is built from laminated spruce bulkheads and the birch plywood is used for the skin. The plywood is often softened with hot steam, formed over the various structures and glued in place. The aircraft is rated for 6g positive and 3g negative.
The Falco type club is the Falco Aircraft Association
Variants
Specifications (Laverda Super Falco Series IV)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66
General characteristics
Performance