Quicksilver Sprint
ultralight aircraft, Quicksilver Sprint experimental aircraft, Quicksilver Sprint experimental light sport aircraft (ELSA), Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News
newsmagazine.
|
Light Sport Aircraft Pilot is a directory of aircraft that generally fit
into what are described as ultralight aircraft, advanced ultralight
aircraft,
light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, experimental
aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt
aircraft in the United States and Canada. These include
weight shift aircraft, more commonly known as trikes,
powered parachutes, and powered para-gliders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quicksilver Sprint ultralight, experimental
lightsport, amateur built aircraft.
|
Quicksilver Mfg.?
42214 Sarah Way
Temecula, CA 92590 U.S.A.
www.quicksilveraircraft.com
951-506-0061
With a 40-hp Rotax 447, the Sprint I's performance nearly
rivals that of a rotorcraft. It pops off the ground in 60
feet, climbs at 800 fpm, and cruises at a modest 42 mph.
This high-wing monoplane is made of tubing and fabric and
comes only in tricycle-gear conformation.
The Sport is similar (uses a two surface wing) but takes an
extra 10 feet for takeoff, climbs at an even better 825 fpm,
and cruises at 58 mph. It takes only 40 hours to assemble. |
|
|
The most notable of
these aircraft is the latest version of the MXL Sport...
quite a bird. The Rotax-powered Quicksilver MXL is a real
fire-breathing performer with a heart of gold. From full
power application to lift-off, you can count to five and be
sure that you're clearing the deck. This can take-off in as
little as 200 feet. From there on, the large single,
center-mounted control stick and rudder pedals are very much
in command of a responsive yet very stable ultralight style
flying machine. With a standard climb speed of only 35 mph
(and doing near to 1000 fpm!), the MXL really skies out. The
Quicksilver has a very strong rudder that both rolls and
yaws the aircraft strongly though the ailerons on this puppy
are no one's fool. Pitch control is obedient in both powered
and unpowered regimes. Static pitch stability is uncommonly
attentive and the dynamic profile is as tight as a miser's
wallet. Low speed control is outstanding as the high lift
wing gives up with a small shudder and excellent control
throughout the stall.
The MXL actually
does very well, power-off, displaying none of the "winged
brick" tendencies that many associate with this plan-form.
The sink rate was a lot more conservative than I expected,
and the subsequent landing required only a gentle flare with
slight aileron for countering the 9 kt crosswind. Roll-out
was an astonishing 150 feet... This is no speed demon... you
have to push hard if you want to see 60 mph, but the wide
open seating and sturdy construction make this both a
pleasant as well as reassuring place to play sky-god. The
aircraft really responds well in the most trying
conditions...
Quicksilver, in my
opinion, conducts the most arduous R&D, Engineering, and
Customer Support oriented manufacturing operation in all of
sport aviation. Documentation, materials, and the attention
to detail are top notch. Wingspan for the Sprint is 28 feet
9 inches; for the Sport,
length is 18 feet 1 inch,
height 9 feet 2 inches.
Zoom Report:
This is what ultralights were always
supposed to be... The single surface Sprint and the double
surface Sport comprise excellent lightweight cruisers with
fantastic visibility and some of the most positive stability
characteristics I've seen.
USA Aircraft Ratings:
QUICKSILVER MX
SPRINT/SPORT I
Design/Engineering:
A+. No company
researches & engineers like them.
Ground Handling: B. Bumpy but docile.
Flight
Characteristics: A. Very
mild, very obedient... good trainer.
Company Profile: A.
One of the industry's
oldest.
Kit/Plans: A-. Excellent
manuals and documentation.
Risk Factor: 1
"Bang For The Buck": A-.
Final Grade: A-.
|
Quicksilver Sprint ultralight -
experimental lightsport aircraft |
|
|
|
Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News Web Magazine.
You may link to these pages or print
them out for your own personal use.
No part of this
publication may be copied or distributed, transmitted, transcribed,
stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any human or computer
language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
manual, or otherwise, without the written permission of Light Sport
Aircraft Pilot News.
By copying or paraphrasing the intellectual
property on this site, you're automatically signing a binding contract
and agreeing to be billed $10,000 payable immediately. Copyright Light Sport Aircraft
Pilot News. Email
|
|