The Swift Aircraft Swift is a single engine, conventional light aircraft, seating two in side-by-side configuration. It is being developed in the UK but has yet to fly.
| Swift | |
|---|---|
| Role | Aerobatic two seat light aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Swift Aircraft |
| First flight | Expected late 2023[1] |
Design and development
editThe Swift is mostly built from composite materials; flying surfaces and the fuselage are formed from composite sandwiches and the wing and tailplane have carbon fibre spars. It has a low wing of trapezoidal plan with slightly upturned tips, fitted with Frise ailerons and slotted flaps. The rear surfaces are also trapezoidal. There is a trim tab in the elevator and a ground adjustable tab on the rudder.[2]
The cockpit has a fixed windscreen and rearward-sliding canopy and is equipped with dual controls. There is a baggage space behind the side-by-side seats. The Swift has a fixed, tricycle undercarriage with the mainwheels on fuselage mounted, spring steel, cantilever legs. The mainwheels have disc brakes and the nosewheel is steerable. The Swift is designed to accept a range of Textron Lycoming horizontally opposed engines in the power range 119–194 kW (160–260 hp), driving a three-bladed propeller.[2]
The Swift program was announced in May 2009. In 2015 Swift Technology Group announced a "multi million pound investment" supporting development of the aircraft and other products,[3][4] and exhibited a static display at AeroExpo UK.[5]
In 2021, the Royal Air Force announced its intention to become carbon neutral, called Project MONET.[6] To further this project, the UK MOD awarded a contract in 2023 to develop the Swift as a zero-emission aircraft with a possible implementation date of 2027.[7] Swift Technology Group have begun experimenting with hemp and flax fibres in the composite panels,[1] as well as alternate fuels, and even electric propulsion.[7]
Variants
edit- Swift II
- Intended to be type certified to EASA CS-23
- Swift M260
- Military version of above, which may replace the Grob Tutor T1 in No. 6 Flying Training School RAF[6]
- Swift LSA
- Intended to be certified to EASA CS-LSA
- Swift VLA
- Intended to be certified to EASA CS-VLA in kit and factory-complete flyaway versions
Specifications (Swift II)
editData from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2011/12[2] Performance estimated.
General characteristics
- Capacity: 2
- Length: 6.565 m (21 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 8.055 m (26 ft 5 in) including winglets
- Height: 2.015 m (6 ft 7 in)
- Empty weight: 372 kg (820 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 743 kg (1,638 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 187 L (49.4 US gal; 41.1 Imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Textron Lycoming air-cooled flat-six engine, 194 kW (260 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed MT-Propeller, constant speed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 340 km/h (210 mph, 180 kn)
- Cruise speed: 302 km/h (188 mph, 163 kn) at 75% power
- Stall speed: 93 km/h (58 mph, 50 kn) flaps down
- g limits: +6/-4
- Rate of climb: 10.7 m/s (2,110 ft/min) maximum, at sea level
Avionics
References
edit- ^ a b Stephen Bridgewater (11 November 2022). "Swift progress". Aero Society.
- ^ a b c Jackson, Paul (2011). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2011-12. Coulsdon, Surrey: IHS Jane's. p. 596. ISBN 978-0-7106-2955-5.
- ^ "Swift Technology Group Secures Private Investment". Swift Technology Group. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2024. Undated press release.
- ^ "Swift gets fresh investment to develop new aircraft". Pilot Magazine. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
- ^ "Exhibitor List | AeroExpo UK 2015 | AeroExpo UK 2015". 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "Project MONET Announcement". Swift Technology Group. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ a b Paul F. Eden (31 July 2023). "UK MoD sees promise in Swift composite aerobatic plane". Runway Girl Network. Retrieved 15 June 2024.