Rolandas Kalinauskas RK-7 Orange

RK-7 Orange
Role	Ultralight aircraft
National origin	Lithuania
Manufacturer	Rolandas Kalinauskas
Status	In production (2012)
Developed from	Rolandas Kalinauskas RK-6 Magic

The Rolandas Kalinauskas RK-7 Orange (also called the Muse, Fly and Bite) is a Lithuanian ultralight aircraft, designed and produced by Rolandas Kalinauskas, of Prienai. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft and has been noted for its very low price.[1][2]

Design and development

A simplified single-seat version of the Rolandas Kalinauskas RK-6 Magic, the RK-7 was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a strut-braced high wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1][2]

The aircraft forward fuselage is made from welded steel with a wooden laminate covering in the cockpit area, with the tailboom made from aluminum tube. The tail surfaces are built up from aluminum tubing, strut-braced, covered in Dacron sailcloth and protected with a small tailskid. The wings are wooden and equipped with Junkers style ailerons. Its 8.2 m (26.9 ft) span wing has an area of 11.5 m^2 (124 sq ft). The standard engine available is the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 two-stroke powerplant, although the 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 has also been used. The aircraft can be flown without the canopy fitted, if desired.[1][3]

The RK-7 has been noted for its low retail price. In 2011 it was advertised at €11,000 for an assembled, ready-to-fly aircraft and €6,500 for a kit.[1]

Specifications (RK-7 Orange)

Data from Bayerl[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Wingspan: 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in)
• Wing area: 11.5 m^2 (124 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 150 kg (331 lb)
• Gross weight: 250 kg (551 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 20 litres (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 503 twin cylinder, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 37 kW (50 hp)
• Propellers: 2-bladed wooden fixed pitch, 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) diameter

Performance

• Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
• Cruise speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
• Stall speed: 59 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
• Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 21.7 kg/m^2 (4.4 lb/sq ft)

References

1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 74. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
2. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 78. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
3. Kalinauskas, Rolandas. "RK-7 Orange". Wings.lt. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2012.

External links

• Official website