The Original Piuma is the more quiet version and the more suitable as first construction. The steel landing gear, with rubbers shock-absorbers, also allows the beginners hard landing. The 2005 plans allow to build the streering front gear, as it is possible to see from the photos. This improvement also allowed to increase the top speed of 5 km/h (3 mph).
 

  1. ULM single seat motorglider made of fabrics and wood, only the tail pipe in aluminium alloy and propulsive engine.

  2. The maximum wing loading is 4,3 lb/sq.ft; this low wing loading allows the motorglider to fly at low stall and landing speeds; this characteristic is a safety in case of the landing out of the normal field.

  3. The glide ratio is about 16 - 17 and the minimum sink rate is 200 ft/min.; it is possible to use a little 25 HP engine with very low consumption (1 Imp Gal/h).

  4. The stall speed is 30 MPH and the take-off speed is normally 34 MPH, but it is possible also 29 MPH, for the ground effect.
    The normal cruising speed is 50 MPH and the VNE is 75 MPH.

  5. Construction characteristics

    1. Conventional 3 axis control with air-brakes.

    2. The wings are tapered; the chord at root is 47,2 inches and at tip is 21,6 inches. The strut profil is similar to a drop.

    3. The wing profil is the Rhode St. Genese 36, with the 16% thickness; the leading edge is rounded very much and this characteristic permits to have a very sweet stall.

    4. The landing gear is built with the Cr-Mb steel, with the rubbers shock-absorbers, and it is put very near (but in front of) the barycentre. The wheels have brakes and fairings. The nose whell has no steering and shock-absorber.
      The little tail wheel and the rudder are steerable at the same time; this special shape unites the advantages of the classic three wheel in tricycle formation take-off and landing and the good ground characteristic of the tail-dragger formation.

    5. The shut cockpit also allows you to fly in winter without problems. The instruments panel is big enough for a complete set of instruments. The fuel-tank can contain more than 4 Imp Gal. and it is sufficient for 4 fly-hours (or much more of soaring).

    6. Dimensions & areas, weight & loadings, performances, engine:
      Wing span
      Total wing area
      Aspect ratio
      Dihedral
      Total tailplane area
      Tail arm
      Length overall
      Max height
      Empty weight
      Max take-off weight
      Max wing loading
      Recommended load factors
      Ultimate load factors
      Max level speed
      Normal cruising speed
      Stalling speed
      Never exceed speed
      Best glide ratio with power off
      Take-off
      Landing
      Max climb rate at sea level
      Min sink rate (at 36 MPH)
      Engine             		38.4 ft
      125 sq.ft
      11.2
      3°
      17.2 sq.ft
      10.7 ft
      19.4 ft
      4.6 ft
      320 lb
      518 lb
      4.14 lb/sq.ft
      + 3.4 -1.2
      + 6.8 - 2.5
      59 MPH
      50 MPH
      30 MPH
      75 MPH
      17
      330 ft
      330 ft
      390 ft/min
      200 ft/min
      25 HP

 

The plans have been improved compared with the prototype (that has flown very well since the 1990).

They are available, but only in italian, with the handbook (in italian) of 37 pages with 20 photos and some little draws for the explanations.

Also the tail boom is available: diameter mm 127 - thickness mm 1,5 - lenght m 5,2.

The complete material note is in the handbook (birch plywood, spruce, aluminium, steel, fabric, etc.).

The material cost, without engine and instruments, is about 4000 euro, at the 2002 prices.

The time of construction is about 1000 hours.