Fisher FP-202 Koala

FP-202 Koala
FP-202 Koala
Role Kit aircraft
National origin Canada
Manufacturer Fisher Flying Products
First flight 1981
Number built 330 (2011)[1]
Developed from Piper J-3
Detail of FP-202 internal structure

The Fisher FP-202 Koala is a Canadian single-seat high wing, conventional landing gear, single engined light kit aircraft designed for construction by amateur builders. The aircraft was inspired by the design of the Piper J-3 Cub and outwardly resembles that design.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Fisher Flying Products was originally based in Edgeley, North Dakota, United States but the company is now located in Dorchester, Ontario, Canada.[2][3][4][5][6]

Development

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The FP-202 was designed by Fisher Aircraft in the United States in 1981 and was intended to meet the requirements of the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, including that category's maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight. It is also a 51% approved kit for the US homebuilt aircraft category. The design goal was to provide ultralight pilots with an aircraft that looked like and flew like the classic Piper Cub, without the regulation that goes with owning a type certified aircraft. The FP-202 can achieve an empty weight of 250 lb (113 kg) when equipped with a lightweight, two-stroke engine, such as the 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277.[3][5][6]

The construction of the FP-202 is unusual for aircraft in its class. The aircraft's structure is entirely made from wood, with the wooden fuselage built from wood strips arranged in a geodesic form, resulting in a very strong and light aircraft with redundant load paths. Like the Cub, both the wings and fuselage on the Koala are covered with doped aircraft fabric. The wings are strut-braced and utilize jury struts. The landing gear is bungee suspended and the tail wheel is steerable. Brakes are optional. The company claims it would take an average amateur builder 250–500 hours to build the FP-202.[3][5][6]

FP-202 quarter front view

Specifications (FP-202 Koala)

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FP-202 instrument panel

Data from AeroCrafter and KitPlanes[3][4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 17.9 ft (5.5 m)
  • Wingspan: 29.9 ft (9.1 m)
  • Height: 5.8 ft (1.8 m)
  • Wing area: 120 sq ft (11 m2)
  • Empty weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
  • Gross weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 5 U.S. gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 277 single cylinder, air-cooled, two stroke aircraft engine, 28 hp (21 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed wooden, fixed pitch

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 62 mph (100 km/h, 54 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 57 mph (92 km/h, 50 kn)
  • Stall speed: 26 mph (42 km/h, 23 kn)
  • Range: 135 mi (217 km, 117 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 750 ft/min (3.8 m/s)

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ a b Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 53. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  2. ^ a b Downey, Julia: Kit Aircraft Directory 2005, Kitplanes, Volume 21, Number 12, December 2004, page 57. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. ^ a b c d e Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 160. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  4. ^ a b c Kitplanes Staff: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 47. Primedia Publications. IPM 0462012
  5. ^ a b c d Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page B-21 Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  6. ^ a b c d Fisher Flying Products. "FP-202". Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
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