FK 12 Comet, bi-plane taildragger

Taildragger Aircraft Magazine - FK Lightplanes Earns SLSA #123: FK12 Comet
By Dan Johnson,

FK Lightplanes won SLSA approval #123 for their biplane FK12 Comet with multiple cockpit configurations.  As they've done numerous times, Hansen Air Group — a team of dedicated pilots, nearly all of whom fly or formerly flew airliners for their day job — has helped shepherd another Light-Sport Aircraft through the ASTM standards process to get a FAA airworthiness certificate.

The Altanta area importer has done this with several aircraft including some Tecnam models, Sky Arrow, and Peregrine. In recent months, Hansen took over U.S. import duties for FK Lightplanes, which has facilities in Germany and Poland.  FK12 Comet is the first LSA biplane on the SLSA List. 

Welcome to SLSA #123, the dashing FK12 Comet biplane. FK12 is the first-ever biplane to win SLSA approval, the second qualified LSA for FK Lightplanes, and the second LSA type to arrive in the USA for aerobatic flight (the first was the Snap from SportairUSA). FK12 made a first official U.S. appearance in the LSA Mall at AirVenture 2011 (as did Snap). 

Crowds frequently gathered around Comet, thoroughly stomping down the grass all around the airplane. Unveiled this summer with the Rotax 912, Hansen Air Group is working to install a Lycoming AIO-233. Rotax does not permit aerobatics with their engines — manufacturers have full authority over such use under LSA rules — but Lycoming does permit unusual-attitude flying. Given the Hansen team's high level of pilot skills, aerobatic flying is of great interest.  

Biplanes are often used for aerobatics as their short spans and high roll rates are useful for that sort of maneuvering. Hansen brothers Mike and Mitch report measuring FK12's roll rate at 1.07 seconds for a 60-to-60 roll reversal. (If you don't know these numbers, that's fast.) Comet's 22-foot span and four full-span flaperons account for the zippy handling. I can report from my own experience (my pilot report will soon appear in Light Sport and Ultralight Flying) that FK12 Comet may be blazing fast in roll but is a very docile cruiser, holding straight and level with minimal input. 

FK Lightplanes, headquartered in Speyer, Germany but with their own production facilities in Poland, is well regarded for its handsome designs. Also prolific, FK Lightplanes often shows distinction in the shapes and details of their airplanes. 

Length: 5.54 m (18 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 6.74 m (22 ft 1 in)
Height: 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 13.40 m2 (144.2 sq ft)
Empty weight: 265 kg (584 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 450 kg (992 lb) or 520 kg (1,146 lb) where permitted
Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 ULS flat-four cylinder, water and air cooled, 73.5 kW (98.6 hp)
Propellers: 2-bladed MT-Propeller or Mühlbauer wooden, or Duc constant speed

FK 12 Comet Bi-Plane Performance Specifications
Maximum speed: 202 km/h (126 mph; 109 kn)
Cruising speed: 180 km/h (112 mph; 97 kn) at 75% power
Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph; 35 kn) flaps down
Never exceed speed: 220 km/h (137 mph; 119 kn)
Range: 650 km (404 mi; 351 nmi) with maximum fuel
g limits: +9/-3.5 at 450 kg (992 lb) weight
Rate of climb: 7.0 m/s (1,380 ft/min)

Fk 12 Comet light sport aircraft mini aircraft review. Dan Johnson gives us a quick mini pilot review on the Fk 12 Comet from Hansen Air Group, after doing some flying in it at the Midwest LSA Expo in Mt. Vernon Illinois.

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Ultralight Aircraft Magazine - Welcome to the Ultralight Aircraft News our goal is to cover as many aircraft expositions that host aircraft described as ultralight aircraft, light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt aircraft that fit into the definition of ultralight aircraft in Canada or light sport aircraft, or experimental amateurbuilt light sport aircraft in the United States. 

These include three axis control aircraft, weight shift control aircraft, more commonly known as trikes, powered parachutes, helicopters, gyrocopters and powered para-gliders that meet the light sport or ultralight aircraft definition.

Airshows and aircraft expositions that we cover include, the Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, E.A.A.'s Sun N Fun, E.A.A.'s Airventure, the Midwest LSA Show, Copperstate, UPAC Convention and Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany. We try to regularly attend regional shows like the Arlington Fly-In, and Rocky Mountain Fly-In. 

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