Coavio DF 2000
| Coavio DF 2000 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Two seat ultralight aircraft |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Coavio Costruzioni Aeronautiche, Frosinone, Lazio |
| Designer | Antonio dell'Orco |
| First flight | 2001 |
| Introduction | 2004 |
| Number built | 54 up to 2021 |
The Coavio DF 2000 is a single-engine, high-wing all-metal ultralight aircraft with side-by-side seating for two. Built in Italy, production began in 2004.[1]
Design and development
[edit]The DF 2000 was designed to provide a fast, robust, comfortable, low-cost side-by-side two-seat ultralight with a short take-off run. It has a conventional layout not unlike that of, for example, the Cessna 152, with a high wing, swept vertical tail and tricycle undercarriage.[1][2]
Structurally, it is mostly built from aluminium alloy, reinforced with TIG-welded 4130 steel tubing in the cockpit area. The wing has constant chord and is braced on each side by a single, broad streamlined strut from the bottom of the fuselage. The shallow, turned-up wing tips are formed from composites. Inboard flaps are fitted. The cockpit area, under the wings and fitted with dual controls, is accessed by upward-hinged doors with deep glazing. Aft, the fuselage becomes more slender, though the swept fin has a long fillet. The rudder has a trim tab and the low-set, parallel-chord tailplane carries a balanced elevator. The tricycle undercarriage has main wheels which are cantilever spring-mounted from the lower fuselage and a steerable nose wheel. All wheels are usually spatted.[1][2][3]
The DF 2000 family uses several engine/propeller combinations, mostly from the Rotax 912 series of 80 to 100 hp (60 to 75 kW) flat-4s but also the 85 hp (63 kW) Jabiru 2200 and 120 hp (89 kW) Jabiru 3300 powerplants.[2][1][3]
The DF 2000 first flew in about 2001 and went into production three years later. .[2]
Operational history
[edit]54 DF 2000 series aircraft have been built up to 2021.
Variants
[edit]Details from the manufacturer.[4]
- Spartan
- Lightest DF 2000, 60 kW (80 hp) Rotax 912 UL engine, 2-blade wooden propeller. Mechanical trim control and flap actuation.
- DF 2000 Light (or Base[2])
- Standard version, as Spartan but painted and with oil pressure gauge.
- DF 2000 Plus
- 75 kW (100 hp) Rotax 912 ULS engine, composite 3-bladed propeller with ground-adjustable pitch. Electrical elevator trim control and flap actuation, flap hinge fairing, partial cabin ventilation and additional instrumentation. Wheel spats and landing light.
- DF 2000 Top
- As Plus with a bigger oil cooler, radio and further instrumentation, upholstered seats and cabin panelling. Landing lights, radio and cockpit heater standard. Two-colour external paintwork. Flight-adjustable pitch propeller an option.
- DA Evolution
- de Luxe version with either 75 kW (100 hp) Rotax 912 ULS or 64 kW (86 hp) Jabiru 2200[2] engine. As Top, but with full cabin ventilation, improved seating and electrical aileron trim control. Improved external lighting. Three colour external paintwork and bigger spinner.
Specifications (DF 2000 Top)
[edit]Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010/11[2]
General characteristics
- Capacity: 2
- Length: 6.35 m (41 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 9.60 m (63 ft 0 in)
- Height: 2.40 m (15 ft 8.94 in)
- Wing area: 11.60 m2 (124.86 sq ft) gross
- Empty weight: 285 kg (628 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 75L
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 ULS 4-cylinder horizontally opposed liquid cooled piston, 75 kW (101 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed composite
Performance
- Maximum speed: 240 km/h (149 mph, 129 kn) in calm air
- Cruise speed: 195 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn) at 75% power
- Stall speed: 45 km/h (28 mph, 24 kn) with flaps extended
- Never exceed speed: 240 km/h (149 mph, 129 kn)
- Range: 680 km (420 mi, 367 nmi) at 195 km/h (with 30 mins of reserve)
- Endurance: 3.5 h (with 30 mins of reserve)
- g limits: +4/-2
- Maximum glide ratio: 12
- Rate of climb: 5.0 m/s (990 ft/min)
- Take-off distance: 100 m (330 ft)
- Landing distance: 80 m (265 ft)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 35. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ a b c d e f g Jackson, Paul (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010–11. Coulsdon, Surrey: IHS Jane's. pp. 386–387. ISBN 978-0-7106-2916-6.
- ^ a b Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 38. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ Coavio: Variants
