Vimana
Role Two seat light STOL
National origin Italy
Manufacturer ICP srl, Castelnuovo don Bosco
First flight May–June 2006
Introduction 2006
Status in production
Number built at least 7

The ICP Vimana is a single engine, two seat, high wing, light aircraft with STOL capability. Designed and built in Italy by ICP srl, it was introduced in 2006.[1][2]

Design and development

The Vimana (Vimana is a Sanskrit word, the meanings of which include flying machine) is a conventionally arranged single engine high wing light aircraft, designed to have STOL performance. It seats two side-by-side. The Vimana is mostly constructed from riveted aluminium sheet.[3]

The Vinama's wing is tapered, mostly on the trailing edge, and carries 2° of dihedral. On each side a single, forward leaning strut links the wing to the lower fuselage, assisted by a short intermediate strut at its wing connection. More than half the trailing edge carries inboard double slotted Fowler flaps with a maximum deflection of 40°; the rest of the trailing edge is fitted with conventional ailerons. The leading edge is fitted with electrically operated slats.[3]

The Vimana is normally powered by a 74 kW (99 hp) Rotax 912 ULS flat four driving a three-bladed propeller, though the Turbo version of this engine is an option. It has a standard tricycle undercarriage with faired wheels, fitted with brakes and mounted on spring cantilever legs to the fuselage at the base of the wing spar. The faired nosewheel is steerable. A lightweight version of the Vimana has smaller wheels, as well as lighter instrumentation and cabin furnishings; overall, 43 kg (95 lb) is cut from the empty weight. Access to the cabin is via fully transparent, upward opening doors.[3] There is a small flight accessible compartment for about 20 kg of luggage behind the seats.[4] The underside of the fuselage tapers upwards to the tail, where all surfaces are straight-tapered. The fin and large rudder are swept, with a small fillet. The tailplane is low mounted and the separate elevators, also large, are horn balanced.[3]

Take-off and landing runs (ground roll) are 45 and 40 m (148 and 131 ft) respectively. The corresponding overall distances to clear 15.25 m (50.0 ft) are 97 and 90 m (318 and 295 ft).[4]

The design is an accepted Federal Aviation Administration special light-sport aircraft, as the Skykits Rampage.[5]

Operational history

The Vimana first appeared in public at the Cielo e Volo show at Ozzano in June 2006. A second machine was produced in 2007 and became the North American demonstrator, flown by Skykits of Alberta, Canada, who market the Vimana as the Rampage.[2][3][4]

As of mid-2010, there were 5 Vimanas on European registers in addition to the prototype.[6][7]

Specifications (Standard weight)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010/11[3]

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 2
  • Length: 7.00 m (23 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.00 m (26 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 9.40 m2 (101.2 sq ft) gross
  • Airfoil: NACA 23015
  • Empty weight: 329 kg (725 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 560 kg (1,235 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 78 L (20.6 US gal; 17.2 Imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 ULS flat four, 74 kW (99 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 220 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 197 km/h (122 mph, 106 kn) at 75% power
  • Stall speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn) flaps down
  • Never exceed speed: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
  • Range: 785 km (488 mi, 424 nmi) with reserves
  • Rate of climb: 5.5 m/s (1,080 ft/min) at sea level

References

  1. ↑ Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 60. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 62. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jackson, Paul (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11. Coulsdon, Surrey: IHS Jane's. pp. 395–6. ISBN 978-0-7106-2916-6.
  4. 1 2 3 "SkyKit site". Retrieved 2010-11-21.
  5. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (26 September 2016). "SLSA Make/Model Directory". Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  6. ↑ Partington, Dave (2010). European registers handbook 2010. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-425-0.
  7. ↑ "Greek Vimana". Retrieved 2010-11-21.
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