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IPE Aircraft (formerly Instituto Paranaense de
Estruturas) is concluding certification trials of
the IPE-06A short take-off and landing light
aircraft, which had its first flight in May last
year. Based in Curitiba in southern Brazil, IPE
Aircraft developed the IPE-06A in partnership with
US investors. With production scheduled to start
next year, short-range plans forecast a monthly
production rate of four aircraft by mid-2006.
With reinforced glassfibre covering a steel tube
truss and wood fuselage and wing frames, the
prototype flew with a ll5hp (85kW) Lycoming 0-235-C
engine. Customers may also select the higher-rated
l8Ohp 0-360-A power plant.
João Carlos Boscardin, IPE Aircraft chief executive,
says the IPE-06A is aimed at domestic and
inter¬national sports and training markets. Brazil’s
civil aviation agency — which sponsors nearly 100 of
the country’s flying clubs — is seeking an
affordable trainer and sports aircraft with low
costs.
Boscardin says that because of its 1,200km (6SOnm)
range, 97kt (l8Okm/h) cruising speed and
shoulder-mounted wing, IPE Aircraft believes that
the IPE-06A is well suited to perform environmental
surveillance duties with local state and federal
environmental protection agencies.
Despite strong local applica¬tions, Boscardin
believes that the USA has the potential to be the
leading market for the aircraft, which has a maximum
take-off weight of 800kg (1,7621b). |
