Alpi Pioneer 400

The Alpi Pioneer 400 is an Italian four-seat ultralight and light-sport aircraft, designed produced by Alpi Aviation, of Pordenone. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.

Alpi Pioneer 400
Role Fixed wing single engine
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Alpi Aviation
First flight Early 2013
Status In production
Number built 19 by November 2014
Developed from Alpi Pioneer 200, Alpi Pioneer 300

Design

The Alpi Pioneer series of light aircraft, 200, 300 and 400 are developments of the Vidor Champion V or Asso V, designed by Giuseppe Vidor and renamed Gamma Pioneer, of which, the Gamma Pioneer 400 is the largest seating four. Quattrocento (four hundred) is often included in the name.[1]

The Pioneer 400 is a low wing monoplane, with a trapezoidal plan wing that has sweep only on the trailing edge and winglets at its tips. The wing structure is wooden with a single box-spar and is covered with pre-preg carbon fibre. Ailerons occupy about half the span; inboard, slotted flaps fill the rest. Both ailerons and flaps are fabric covered.[1]

The fuselage and empennage have a wooden structure and carbon fibre skin. The engine used is the 73.5 kW (98.6 hp) Rotax 912S flat-four, driving a variable pitch propeller. The cabin is over the wings, with two pairs of side-by-side seats. Entry is by two upward-opening doors and there is a baggage space behind the rear seats. At the rear the vertical surfaces are straight-edged and swept, with a long dorsal strake. The horizontal surfaces are approximately trapezoidal in plan, with an unswept leading edge. Both the rudder and elevators are fabric covered. The rudder is balanced and both it and the port elevator carry trim tabs.[1]

The Pioneer has retractable tricycle landing gear though the nose-wheel remains partially exposed when retracted. An emergency ballistic parachute is an option.[1]

Development

The date of the first flight of the Pioneer 400 is not known but it first appeared in public at the 2009 Friedrichshafen airshow held 2–5 April.[1] Though briefly registered in Italy, by 11 June 2009 the first prototype had been re-registered in the UK as G-CGAJ.[2] It received type approval in late 2010 and full approval in August 2012.[1]

Three distinct variants, each available as a kit or a flyaway aircraft, have been marketed. The Ultralight has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 450 kg (990 lb) to fulfil the European Ultralight limit. Another variant, designated Experimental has an empty weight increased by 90 kg (200 lb) and an MTOW of 750 kg (1,650 lb). The Pioneer 400T has the same MTOW as the Experimental but is powered by a turbo-charged 84.6 kW (113.5 hp) Rotax 914 flat-four which raises the cruising speed to 256 km/h (159 mph; 138 kn).[1]

Nineteen Gamma Pioneer 400s had been built by November 2014.[1]

Variants
Gamma Pioneer Ultralight
MTOW 450 kg (990 lb) to Euro UL limit.
Gamma Pioneer Experimental
MTOW 750 kg (1,650 lb) to Euro Experimental limit.
Gamma Pioneer 400T
same as the Experimental, but with an uprated Rotax 914 engine.

Specification (400 Ultralight)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2016/17[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Capacity: Three passengers
  • Length: 7.00 m (23 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.80 m (28 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 11.20 m2 (120.6 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 290 kg (639 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 ULS flat-four aircraft engine, 73.2 kW (98.2 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed variable pitch

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 250 km/h (160 mph, 130 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 220 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
  • Stall speed: 67 km/h (42 mph, 36 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 296 km/h (184 mph, 160 kn)
  • Range: 900 km (560 mi, 490 nmi) at 75% power
  • Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft) service
  • Maximum glide ratio: 13 best
  • Rate of climb: 7.62 m/s (1,500 ft/min) maximum, at sea level
  • Take-off and landing runs: 120 m (390 ft)

Avionics

  • EFIS: Dynon EFIS-D100 and FlightDEK-D-180

References
  1. Gunston, Bill (2016). Jane's All the World's Aircraft : development & production : 2016-17. IHS Global. pp. 427–8. ISBN 978-0-7106-3177-0.
  2. "CAA UK civil register". Retrieved 29 April 2016.
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