Vulcanair boldly goes into piston-single market

[hawk-eyed]

fonte: flightglobal


Italian airframer Vulcanair has made its first foray into the piston-single market, with the launch of its V1.0.

The four-seat, 180hp (130kW) Lycoming IO-360-M1A-powered aircraft is designed to offer a low-cost alternative to other piston-singles such as the Cessna 172 and Piper Archer, says Vulcanair.

“The price of piston-singles is so prohibitive for many owner-flyers and training schools,” says Vulcanair chief executive Remo de Feo.

Priced at €199,000 ($276,000), the V1.0 will fit in the market between top-end light sport aircraft and entry-level piston-singles. “The aircraft is a traditional all-metal design but with features including a Garmin G500 glass cockpit. You won’t get anything else like this on the market for less than this price,” de Feo says.

Vulcanair certificated the V1.0 last September but has kept the programme under wraps until it secured its price point and established a marketing strategy for the type. “We are now ready to promote the aircraft and begin taking orders,” de Feo says.

He stresses that while Vulcanair is new to the piston-single segment, this should not deter any potential buyers. “We are experienced in designing complex multi-engined aircraft, such as the A-viator. We wanted to use our expertise to develop a serious alternative to other established piston-engined designs,” he says.

The V1.0 can run on avgas or mogas. It has a maximum take-off weight of 1,150kg (2,550lb), a maximum cruise speed of 140kt (260km/h) and a luggage capacity of 40kg.

Vulcanair also unveiled the latest version of its high-wing A-viator, a twin-engined turboprop featuring a three-screen Garmin G950 flightdeck, Cobham 2100 digital autopilot, improved landing gear, and an electrically-operated sliding cargo door.