Real world comparison: Skyranger, Zenith Cruzer, Savannah, Foxbat

[IBob]

Nice pic...Looks very unforgiving. I was looking at a trip to Bourketown which is up in the gulf and I am in South East Queensland (not sure if you are familiar with the geography), so I'm not even leaving the state. At 90kts it's almost 10 hours of flight time and I need at least two fuel stops. It would be longer than that in reality because any airport or town I can get fuel at is not on the direct route.

Most of the terrain is quite forgiving though, with a safe forced landing being possible for almost all of it.

I'm reminded of a relative from Australia on an airport transit bus in the US.

Some American said 'What sort o guvmint you have down thar...I guess you're all commies' to which the relative replied no we have a functioning democracy.

After a short silence, Some American asked ' So what sorta weather you have down there?' to which the relative replied, we have all sorts of weather, depends where you are, since Australia is bigger than the contiguous land mass of the US.

Which was met with stunned silence.

And nothing more was said..............

[Student Pilot]

Just below centre & slightly to the right, there are about 8 white rectangular objects - just wondering what they might be ?

Either reflections from long rock structures or refraction from the camera lens?

[Marty_d]

Sam -

 

I wouldn't say I am dedicated to my brand (ATEC) but do believe they are a much underrated aircraft, with quite astonishing breadth of performance. There are many other aircraft I admire/praise some of which are very specific in their flight range.

 

Your questions regarding the ATEC range should be directed to your nearest agent , especially for pricing. You will find you nearest agent by contacting the ATEC v.o.s factory ATEC Aircraft - Czech manufacturer of light sports aircraft | ATEC Aircraft. The factory may also be willing to supply the aircraft fit- out and pricing spread sheets.

 

I can tell you that all the ATEC aircraft are :

• Available in factory or kit build form. Kits are very very advanced - nothing like the metal frame/skinned aircraft kits.
  
• Come with the customers selection, from factory avionics, factory engine (Rotax 80/100/115 hp), or you can supply your own engine & avionics.
  
• To the best of my knowledge, all recently delivered Australian ATEC aircraft are rated at 600 kg but your country may have different rules on this.
  
• The Zephyr 122 is the original design/production aircraft and has been flying for about 25 + years now - I have a 2000 model and she is a delight to fly. As you would expect production of this model has been refined over the years so the fit/finish is superb. Australia has about 10 of these aircraft, all but one are 100 hp (the one is an 80 hp).
  
• Faeta comes in two models;
  
• Faeta 321 - similar in appearance to the Zephyr but with all composite construction, a faster wing giving substantially higher cruise and at the slow end, a more capable flap design giving a lower stall - we have one of these in Australia, being used for flight training & glider towing.
  
• Faeta 321 NG - this is the same aircraft as above BUT with a conventional empennage (tail). Somehow this change in appearance has also enhanced cruise speed further again. We also have one of these.
  
• ATEC also have a single seater, the Solo 212 - We dont have any in Australia and so I cant comment on this model
  

 

For performance specifications check out the ATEC web site ATEC Aircraft - Czech manufacturer of light sports aircraft | ATEC Aircraft . I have found the factory figures to be conservative, most unusual in the aviation industry. Factory staff are very approachable and good to work with.

I just had a look at their site. Tell you what, the Atec 212 Solo looks like it'd be a lot of fun...

 

[skippydiesel]

Hi Marty_d - It would be my pleasure to help you to be the first to import one into Australia:

 

https://www.planesales.com.au/dealers/34/ATEC-Aircraft-Sales-Australasia

[Sam the Swiss]

Just below centre & slightly to the right, there are about 8 white rectangular objects - just wondering what they might be ?

I fear that this is a reflection of the window.

[Sam the Swiss]

Nice pic...Looks very unforgiving. I was looking at a trip to Bourketown which is up in the gulf and I am in South East Queensland (not sure if you are familiar with the geography), so I'm not even leaving the state. At 90kts it's almost 10 hours of flight time and I need at least two fuel stops. It would be longer than that in reality because any airport or town I can get fuel at is not on the direct route.

Most of the terrain is quite forgiving though, with a safe forced landing being possible for almost all of it.

I checked it, yes, that's quite a distance. From Basel where I live I could get about everywhere in Europe except Scandinavia with a travel like that. What a huge country you have. And I complain for the 130 km to the alps :-)

The terrain is very unforgiving, so your friend is short landing and - even better - good gliding properties. Right where the picture is taken you only have two viable options if the noise stops: close by, nearly below, is a mountain strip about 250 m long (but I guess difficult to hit if you are in that situation) and the other, probably safer method: turn around, glide down the valley to the lake nearby and ditch… Not fun, but highly survivable.