Sold in America as the SportStar Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), the Czech all-metal two-seater has a 28 foot, 5 inch wingspan, a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds typical of LSAs, and is normally powered by a Rotax four-cylinder engine.<\/p>\n
The latest version of this airplane, though, took flight in Kunovice, Czech Republic on March 28, powered by a Rotex motor<\/em>.\u00a0 The SportStar EPOS (Electric POwered Small Aircraft)<\/a> is derived from Evektor\u2019s RTC, and carries a 50 kilowatt (67 horsepower) RE X90-7 motor made by Rotex Electric, which crafts everything from small model aircraft motors to (as shown on their web site) 40 kilowatt (53.6 hp) outrunner-appearing motors for electric vehicle use.\u00a0 The X90 designation would seem to indicate a larger, more powerful model, although that model is not shown on the Rotex web site.\u00a0 For possible interpolation, the displayed 40 kW model<\/a> weighs only 7.5 kilograms (16.5 pounds), a healthy power-to-weight ratio.\u00a0 Their range of motors is slated for use in gliders, motorized rogallos or powered paragliders.<\/p>\n Evektor and Rotex were not alone in the effort, with cooperation from the Czech Light Aircraft Association, a propeller from the Aerospace Research and Test Establishment, motor controller from MGM compro and a motor function display from the Faculty of Information Technology of Brno University of Technology.<\/p>\n