Blackwing Sweden Blackwing

The Blackwing Sweden Blackwing is a Swedish ultralight and light-sport aircraft designed and produced by Blackwing Sweden of Lund, introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2015. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or complete and ready-to-fly.[1]

Blackwing
Blackwing 600 RG
Role Ultralight aircraft and Light-sport aircraft
National origin Sweden
Manufacturer Blackwing Sweden AB
Introduction 2015
Status In production (2015)

Design and development

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The Blackwing is the result of a research project commenced in the 1990s, culminating in wind tunnel tests and a 350-hour prototype flight test program. It was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules with a version at a gross weight of 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) and US light-sport aircraft rules with a version with a gross weight of 600 kg (1,323 lb).

The design features a cantilever low-wing, an enclosed cockpit with two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration under a bubble canopy, fixed or optionally retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft is made from pre-preg carbon fibre built on a foam core. Its 8.4 m (27.6 ft) span wing has an area of 9.4 m2 (101 sq ft) and flaps. Standard engines available are the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS and 912iS, although engines up to 150 hp (112 kW) can be installed.[1]

The cabin width for all models is 121 cm (48 in).[3]

As of January 2017, the design does not appear on the Federal Aviation Administration's list of approved special light-sport aircraft.[4]

Operational history

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Reviewer Marino Boric described the design in a 2015 review as "a sleek speedster".[1]

Variants

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Blackwing BW635RG
Blackwing 600 RG
Model with 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) gross weight for the European microlight category, retractable landing gear and a cruise speed of 278 km/h (173 mph).[1][3]
Blackwing 600 FG
Model with 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) gross weight for the European microlight category, fixed landing gear and a cruise speed of 252 km/h (157 mph).[1][3]
Blackwing Edge
Kit-built aerobatic model with 600 kg (1,323 lb) gross weight for the LSA category, retractable landing gear and a maximum level TAS of 376 km/h (234 mph).[1][3]
Blackwing 635 RG
Model with 600 kg (1,323 lb) gross weight for the LSA category, retractable landing gear and a maximum level TAS of 370 km/h (230 mph).[3]

Specifications (Blackwing 600 RG)

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Data from manufacturer[3] and Tacke[1]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 341 km/h (212 mph, 184 kn) VNE TAS at FL95
  • Cruise speed: 278 km/h (173 mph, 150 kn)
  • Stall speed: 65–70 km/h (40–43 mph, 35–38 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 290 km/h (180 mph, 157 kn) TAS at Sea Level
  • g limits: +4.4, -2.2
  • Rate of climb: 7.6 m/s (1,500 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 50.3 kg/m2 (10.3 lb/sq ft)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 35. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ Experimental Aircraft Association (2012). "EAA's Listing of Special Light-Sport Aircraft". Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Blackwing Sweden AB (2016). "Blackwing". Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  4. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (26 September 2016). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Retrieved 24 January 2017.
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