SkyReach BushCat

The SkyReach BushCat is a South African light-sport aircraft developed from the Rainbow Aircraft Cheetah by Vladimir Chechin of SkyReach Aircraft. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1]

BushCat
Role Light-sport aircraft
National origin South Africa
Manufacturer SkyReach Aircraft
Designer Vladimir Chechin
Developed from Rainbow Cheetah

Design

The BushCat is a two-place side-by-side configuration, strut-braced, high-wing monoplane. The main upgrades from the earlier Cheetah XLS are the use of sprung aluminum landing gear, cockpit ergonomic changes to the location of the stick and throttle and hydraulic disc brakes in place of mechanical drum brakes.[1][2]

The BushCat's structure is fabric-covered aluminum tube construction. The standard engines used are the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL and the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS powerplants. The plane features dual throttles, a single center-mounted control stick and flaps controlled by a ceiling-mounted bar. Landing gear options are tricycle gear, conventional landing gear and floats.[1][3]

The design is a US Federal Aviation Administration accepted special light-sport aircraft with the Rotax 912UL, Rotax 912ULS, the 85 hp (63 kW) Jabiru 2200 and 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engines fitted.[4]

Operational history

In April 2018 there were 26 BushCats registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[5]

Specifications (BushCat)
Rainbow Skyreach BushCat
A tricycle landing gear-equipped BushCat
Rainbow Skyreach BushCat on display

Data from Tacke and manufacturer[1][6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
  • Wing area: 13.58 m2 (146.2 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 6.8:1
  • Empty weight: 320 kg (705 lb)
  • Gross weight: 560 kg (1,235 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 94 l (25 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912ULS , 75 kW (100 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Warp Drive Inc

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 169 km/h (105 mph, 91 kn)
  • Stall speed: 56 km/h (35 mph, 30 kn) flaps down
  • Never exceed speed: 201 km/h (125 mph, 109 kn)
  • Range: 1,080 km (670 mi, 580 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 4,300 m (14,000 ft)
  • g limits: +6/-4G (ultimate)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 10:1
  • Rate of climb: 6.1 m/s (1,200 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 41.2 kg/m2 (8.4 lb/sq ft)

See also

Related development

References
  1. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 80. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. SkyReach Aircraft. "Standard Features". www.fly-skyreach.com. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  3. SkyReach Aircraft. "Choices and Options". www.fly-skyreach.com. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  4. Federal Aviation Administration (11 January 2018). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  5. Federal Aviation Administration (12 April 2018). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  6. SkyReach Aircraft. "Specifications". www.fly-skyreach.com. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
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