8 April 2013
Pipistrel has announced the maiden flight of the Panthera, its four-seat GA aircraft. The successful first flight on 4 April lasted 54 minutes, following the first successful engine test on 28 March.
The flight took place at Airport of Cerklje ob Krki in Slovenia, with test pilot Mirko Anžel and co-pilot Sašo Knez lifting off the runway at 14:15 local time and evaluating Panthera’s behaviour and performing system checks.
According to Pipistrel, both pilots agreed the handling was straight-forward and pilot friendly, with parameters as predicted. The Panthera has now completed several hours of flying with undercarriage both out and retracted. According to the news release, all targets are expected to be met.
Ivo Boscarol, CEO of Pipistrel said, ‘This is Pipistrel’s first entry into the world of General Aviation. We knew for a long time that we were capable of developing and producing aircraft larger and more capable than ultralights/LSAs. Panthera is proof that Pipistrel’s team can indeed compete with the most eminent global general aviation producers.
‘Our thanks to the Slovenian Armed Forces, Slovenian CAA and each and every individual who contributed to this historic achievement.’
You can watch a video of the maiden flight <a href=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDYv9b4J7ps&feature=youtu.be’ target=’_blank’>here.</a> The all-composite aircraft, Slovenia’s first ever 4-seat aeroplane design headed for production, is powered by a Lycoming IO-390, which is, according to the manufacturers, capable of flying four people for 1,000nm, cruising at 200kt, burning 10 gallons of fuel per hour. The planned certification date is in late 2015. <a href=’http://www.pipistrel.si ‘ target=’_blank’>www.pipistrel.si </a>
