On 24-27 April we participated in the international aviation exhibition in Friedrichshafen (Germany). This event is permanently inscribed in the calendar of annual, major European aviation events.
Allstar PZL Glider standAERO seems to be a good opportunity for producers and exhibitors to attract new customers. It is also an excellent time to exchange experience in design, technology and performance, see different solutions or simply have a good time. Looking at the exhibition for several years, reviewing products offered, it seems that the crisis in the aviation is a history.
The most rapidly growing aviation industry, of course, is ultra-light, mostly because of relatively simple airworthiness regulations that do not limit designers' imagination. The lead have the technologically advanced and luxuriously equipped aircrafts, equipped as standard with a modern EFIS, autopilot, electrically retractable landing gear and innovative wings mechanization (flaps, slots, vortex generators, etc.).
Apart from Allstar, other gliding companies were presenting their products: Zakład Szybowcowy „Jeżów”, DG-Flugzeugbau, Schempp-Hirth, Alexander Schleicher, HPH, and for light gliders – Alisport and Albastar. An interesting high-performance carbon-fibre doubleseater was shown by Idaflieg, a German student organization.
Competitors offer was very broad and well prepared. However, we did not find any glider that could rival the scope of use of the presented our single-siter SZD-59 Acro or double-seater SZD-54-2 Perkoz. These gliders really fit well into the market niche and meet the growing appreciation of pilots.
Allstar was the only company to show a glider equipped with hand-rudder control system. This is a great solution for people with disabilities or those who appreciate convenience, because after many hours of flight pilot may withdraw his/her legs from the pedals. In addition, trim lever is located on stick which allows to control the glider with one hand (the right one). These are not the only changes that we have proposed. SZD-54-2 Perkoz undergone a major facelift for even better ergonomics (new, slim instrument panel in the second cabin, more comfortbale head rests) as well as for better visibility from the instructor's seat. We were proud to present the most ergonoic, comfortable and safest (very low boards) cabin among all the double-seaters shown at Aero 2013.
The exhibition is also a paradise for modelmakers. „Static” stands and a part of the vast hall dedicated to flights attracted hundreds of fans of this field of aviation. Of course, the most popular type of power supply are three-phase electric engines, powered by lighter, more efficient and safer batteries.
Some solutions derived from models we saw also in general aviation. Electrically powered hang-gliders (microlights) are not unusual, most gliders are equipped with it, and in a short time we expect to find it also in the more advanced aircraft.
SZD-54-2 Perkoz
SZD-59 Acro
SZD-54-2 Perkoz: new instrument panel
Motorgliders
Alisport stand
Idaflieg glider
Ultralights
Schempp-Hirth Gliders
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