NASA Verseny győztes

We are proud to announce our brand new aircraft, the Virus SW. Virus SW is the only light aircraft that combines pure speed with unprecedented fuel economy. We are convinced that Virus SW will win the hearts of many aviators world-wide, just like it won the NASA challenge. Twice!


The very aeroplane that won the NASA centennial PAV challenge 2007 and NASA GAT centennial challenge 2008 has been further refined and optimised for even better performance.
With the structural and flight tests completed in autumn 2008, the deliveries of the Virus SW are now in full swing.


All engineering work and testing of the new 10.71 meter Virus S-Wing was carried out at Pipistrel premises at Ajdovščina, Slovenia. The design basis follow the strictest EASA CS-22, CS-VLA and CS-23 (sections) certification standards, as well as their FAA FAR counterparts. More than a year of ground structural and vibration tests went by without a glitch, followed by an extensive flight test programme with more than 100 hours cumulative tests.


We are extremely pleased about the fact that the Virus SW met and by far exceeded the anticipated flight performance.
Maneouvering speed was raised from 141 km/h (76kts) to 176 km/h (95 kts), turbulence penetration speed (green arc) was raised from 141 km/h (76kts) to 240 km/h (130 kts) and the VNE from 249 km/h (135 kts) to 302 km/h (163 kts). This means that you can cruise through heavy turbulence at speeds which were before beyond red-line speeds for the original Virus. The new S-wing has the largest flight safety margins in its category and can be equipped with the total rescue system, which can be deployed even at maximum speeds and close to the terrain.



The new Virus S-Wing is a statement of our long-time philosophy that you can achieve remarkable feats without wasting energy and polluting the environment. Every aircraft is designed, manufactured and perfected in our state-of-the-art, energetically self-sufficient facility at Ajdovscina, Slovenia. Using geothermal and solar energy to power the whole production process, we are able to spare the environment 180.000 kilograms of CO2 emissions every year. By owning the new S-Wing you will contribute to a better and cleaner World! Our Ecolution campaign represents Pipistrel's mission to show the World that eco-friendly, high-technology products are in fact possible and available today!



The new S-Wing's performance has been confirmed by NASA. You can read all about it here:
/pipistrel.si/news/674

/pipistrel.si/news/675

/pipistrel.si/news/907

Please note that the production version of S-wing is even better than the prototype which competed at the challenges.
Pipistrel has already taken more than 30 orders since the NASA Challenge victories! Orders are coming both from individuals and flight schools, all over the world.
The aircraft can be equipped by either the Rotax 912 UL2 (80 hp) or 912 ULS (100 hp) powerplants and a large variety of avionics options. With pricing from €76,000 EUR, the new 80 HP S-Wing cruises at 246 km/h (133 kts), burning less than 13.6 liters per hour (3.6 gph). At 75% cruise-power-setting the 100 HP version speeds over the skies at 273 km/h (147 kts)! This really speaks about the performance and economy of the new S-wing.


The design weight for the new S-Wing is 550 kg (1212 lbs) with more than 250 kg (551 lbs) useful load and the fuel capacity of 100 liters (26 gallons). This all means that you can cover distances in excess of 1850 km (1000 nm)! The exclusive kevlar-reinforced safety cockpit with luxurious leather interior will keep you both comfortable and safe.
At 472.5 kg the new S-Wing also meets all requirements for the microlight/ultralight class Europe – including the stall speed is 64 km/h thanks to a different set-up of the flaperon system.

Link to technical specifications - Click HERE.


PDF version of the Press Release av

Weailable here:  VirusSW Press Release .pdf