Falco F8L explained

The Falco F8L is an Italian-designed lightweight 2-seater aerobatic aircraft.[1]

Design and development

The aircraft was designed by the renowned Italian designer Stelio Frati[2] in 1955, with the prototype, powered by a 90hp Continental C-90 engine, flying for the first time on 15 June 1955. The prototype was soon re-engined with a 135hp Lycoming O-290-D2B, forming the basis for the initial production batch. It was originally built in Italy by Aviamilano then Aeromere and later Laverda.[3]

The aircraft is single-engined, propeller driven and designed for private and general aviation use.[4] The Falco was sold in kit or plans form for amateur construction by the Sequoia Aircraft Company of Richmond, Virginia from the 1980s until its closure in 2014.[5]

The aircraft is widely considered to be one of the best handling, strongest, and most aesthetically pleasing designs ever made available to home builders. Pilots sometimes refer to the Falco as "the Ferrari of the air."[6]

Performance includes a 175 knot cruise speed and full aerobatic capability, with an inverted fuel tank an optional item.

The Falco F8L is constructed of spruce and typically Finnish birch plywood. The structure is built from laminated spruce bulkheads and the birch plywood is used for the skin.[7] The plywood is often softened with hot steam, formed over the various structures and glued in place. The aircraft is rated for 6g positive and 3g negative.

Reviewers Roy Beisswenger and Marino Boric described the design in a 2015 review as "a complex all-wooden construction in spruce and plywood and is therefore time-consuming to build. But the results in terms of weight and speed are remarkable., so much so that the Falco is considered a classic, with outstanding performance and handling."[8]

Variants

F.8L Series I: Initial production model powered by 101 kW (135 hp) Lycoming engine. Ten built by Aviamilano starting in 1956.[3]
  • F.8L Series II: Improved model built by Aviamilano, with 112 kW (150 hp) engine. Twenty built.[3]
  • F.8L Series III: (Also known as F.8L America) Modified version of Series II built by Aeromere in conformance with US airworthiness requirements.[3] 35 built by Aeromere.
  • Super Falco Series IV: Similar to America, but with more powerful engine (160hp Lycoming O-320-B3) and constant speed propeller. Built by Laverda.[3] Twenty built.
  • Sequoia Falco: Similar to the production aircraft but re-designed for homebuilding from kits or plans,[3] by Alfred Scott of Sequoia Aircraft Company and David Thurston of Lake Buccaneer fame.

    • See also

    References

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, Fifth Edition, page 251. BAI Communications, 15 July 1998.
    2. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 118. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
    3. Munson, Kenneth; Taylor, John: Jane's Pocket Book Light Aircraft Second Edition, pages 130-131. Jane's Publishing Company, 1982.
    4. Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 69. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
    5. Web site: AeroSports Update: Falco Kit Producer Closes Its Doors . . August 15, 2014 . Aero-News Network . Jim Campbell . October 19, 2018 .
    6. Aero News Network. July 2018. Falco: The Ferrari of the Air. Tom Woodward.
    7. Sport Aviation. September 1991. Grand Champion Falco. Jack Cox.
    8. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 124. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.

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