Pipistrel Virus
The Pipistrel Virus is a two-seat, single engine light aircraft manufactured by Pipistrel in Slovenia and Italy and sold as an ultralight, homebuilt kit, or light-sport aircraft.
Introduced in 1999 and based on the design of the Pipistrel Sinus, the Virus has been produced in a number of variants with different engines, wingspans, and undercarriage configurations. It can be equipped with a full airframe emergency recovery parachute system.
The Virus is a high-wing, cantilever monoplane of pod-and-boom configuration with a T-tail and air brakes. The cabin has two seats side-by-side. Its fixed undercarriage can be provided in either tricycle or tailwheel configuration. The aircraft is available in long wing version (12.5-metre wingspan), powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912 engine, or in short wing “SW” version (10.7-metre wingspan), equipped with several options of Rotax 912 and 914 engines.
The Virus SW 121 and Explorer (SW 121A) line of aircraft are rated for intentional spins.
Aviation journalist Paul Bertorelli has criticized the aircraft’s design for lack of cabin occupant crashworthiness. However, the manufacturer points out that this kind of issue is typical of aircraft in the LSA category. The design has no history of head trauma during the accidents that have occurred.
By February 2014, Pipistrel had produced more than 600 Sinus/Virus aircraft. Production reached 1000 aircraft by March 2019.
In April 2016, the Virus SW 121 received an EASA Full Type Certificate. The SW 121 is powered by a Rotax 912 S3 and is designed to meet EASA requirements for a Light Sports Aeroplane. It is the first EASA type-certified (no restrictions, category “normal”) aircraft in CS-LSA category for Night VFR operations, intentional spins and glider-towing. It features an autopilot, dual redundant ADAHRS units, and airbrakes.
In January 2022, Pipistel announced a new variant of the SW 121, commercially referred to as Explorer. The new variant, also EASA CS-LSA type-certified, features new Garmin G3X Touch touch-screen avionics and a haptic stall warning system, among other equipment.
Country: Ajdovščina (Slovenia)
First flight: August 10, 1999
Years of production: 1999—
Production: 1000 units
Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 10.71 m (35 ft 2 in)
Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Crew: one
Capacity: one passenger
Powerplant: 1× Rotax 912 ULS (100 HP)
Maximum speed: 283 km/h (176 mph, 153 kn)
Range: 1,450 km (900 mi, 780 nmi)
Ceiling: 6,800 m (22,300 ft)
Weight: 289 kg (637 lb)
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