The Super Petrel LS is an amphibious ultralight designed, developed and manufactured by Brazil’s EDRA Aeronáutica. A popular biplane with a pusher engine, two hundred units have been sold in 22 countries worldwide. Constructed of composite materials, aeronautical aluminum alloys and stainless steel to protect components from corrosion, the Super Petrel LS uses the NACA 2412 aerofoil, one renowned for predicatbility and balance, and used on the Cessna 182.
The stabilizer and control surfaces provide simple controllability in any speed range and the retractable undercarriage contributes to low drag, making the Super Petrel LS a very stable and docile aeroplane.
Hydrodynamics
The Super Petrel LS hull is built with materials and technology common to seacraft, allowing safe operations in water; while the design of the fuselage prevents nose submersion on takeoff and landing. The lower wings also have the function of deflecting the water spray away from the propeller, maintaining its integrity and ensuring safety.
Powerplant
The recommended powerplant is the reliable four-stroke, 100hp Rotax 912 ULS engine. The propeller that best fits the aircraft and powerplant is the French Arplast Ecoprop made of composite material with 65 inches diameter and pitch-adjusted on the ground.
The engine mount and vibration absorbers are designed to lower the vibration level transmitted from the engine to the structure, minimising the cabin’s noise level and maintenance.
Special features include:
• Comfortable positioning on the rudder pedals;
• Instrument panel positioned near the pilot with friendly reading and access;
• Precise and safe landing-gear retraction system;
• Spacious and comfortable cockpit;
• Easy wheel and brake system maintenance;
• Baggage compartment behind the cockpit;
• Perfect positioning of the thrust line providing better performance and balance during take-off and landing;
• Wings with washout providing smooth stall characteristics;
• Removable wing floats providing easy operation when the situation does not require take-offs and landings in the water;
• Winglets on all wings providing induced drag reduction.
Certification and Engineering
All Super Petrel LS structural engineering, aerodynamics and hydrodynamics tests were made based on ASTM standards required by LSA (Light Sports Certification) in the United States.
The ELA (European Light Aircraft), which is being developed by EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) is also based on ASTM standards which are technically the most restrictive and demanding applied to light sport aviation.
In its standard configuration, the Super Petrel LS complies with Very Light Aircraft / Micro Light JAR-VLA regulation though such registration requires certification tests for each particular country.
The Super Petrel LS is manufactured under severe quality system involving execution, inspection and control step-by-step providing full tracking record.
Improvements for the brand new Super Petrel LS include:
• New fuselage design with better aerodynamics;
• New canopy, doors and locks;
• Vertical and horizontal stabilizers made of new composite materials;
• Upper wing spar and central section made of new composite materials;
• New lower wings with fibrEglass incorporated tanks (90 litres);
• New MTOW of 600 Kg +4/-2 G;
• Cruise speed - 97 knots;
• VNE - 113 knots;
• New ballistic recovery system installation;
• Wider instrument panel;
• Optional Dynon EFIS, EMS and Auto Pilot;
• Longer aircraft length;
• Wider and lower cockpit doors making easier entry and exit to/from the aircraft;
• Ergonomic panel divided into 3 sections with a central console;
• Bigger side pockets to keep your belongings, charts, etc.;
• Completely reconstructed carbon and kevlar tail without struts;
• More rigid and efficient tail with less drag.
The Super Petrel LS is distributed in Australia by Queensland-based Super Petrel Australia. Owner Peter Frith visited the Edra factory in Brail in 2009 and after flying the aircraft, he purchased one and took on the Australian distributorship. All aircraft sold by Frith includes up to five hours transition training.
Technical Data
Super Petrel - LS – Rotax 912ULS 100HP
PERFORMANCE
Cruise Speed: 180kph (97 knots)
VNE: 210kph (113 knots)
Stall Speed: 56kph (30 knots)
Climb Ratio: 1,000f/m
Glide Ratio: 10:1
Service Ceiling: 10,000 feet
Take Off: 80/120m (Ground/Water)
Landing: 120/100m (Ground/Water)
Fuel Capacity: 90 litres (20 gallons)
Endurance: 5 hours
WEIGHT
Empty Weight: 320kg
Useful Load: 280kg
Gross Weight: 600kg
Load Factor: (G) 4 / -2
DIMENSIONS
Cabin Width: 1.16m
Length: 6.35m
Height: 2.33m
Wing Span: 8.9m
Wing Surface: 15m²
Seats: 2
Undercarriage: Trigear/Retractable
