When you look at this new-to-Americans aircraft, you might have a vague recollection of one or more aircraft that looked something like Shark.
Are you fuzzy about that recollection? That’s understandable. It’s been a decade since FlyItalia’s MD3 Rider had U.S. representation.
MD3 did earn Special LSA approval, taking its place on our SLSA List at number 15.
While Spaceport Aviation still reports operating a Rider for students, the model has mostly disappeared from American skies.
Another once-popular light aircraft sold in the USA — Skyboy — also sports the distinctive shark fin tail. These designs are substantially different expressions of a creative designer, but all share this common appearance.
Now Jonathan Baron — operator of Virginia-based PB Aero — reports that the aircraft designer’s most recent project, called Shark, has taken its first flight in the USA.
Shark appears to be very different from MD3 Rider or Skyboy: Low wing versus high wing; tandem versus side-by-side seating; retractable versus fixed gear; basic versus full featured.
However, sharp readers may have already noted the vertical stabilizer and ventral fin look almost identical.
If you noticed that, give yourself a pat on the back. That is indeed a similarity and it is why the name of the new plane was chosen. Doesn’t it look like the tail of a shark?
That design feature relates to principal creator, Jaroslav Dostál. He likes the look and finds it efficient to use the configuration. Continuing the theme, Jaro added shark-like cooling fins (gills?) in the aft portion of the engine compartment.
I first met Jaro many years ago at the Aero Friedrichshafen show in the south of Germany. Jaro is a talented engineer and is smart enough to know that producing the aircraft is a job for people with those skills.
He is a longtime expert in using composite and his design prowess is well regarded. Extensive use of carbon fiber helped keep the weight down for Europe’s ultralight weight limit of just 472.5 kilos (1,040 pounds, around 80% of the weight of LSA) when a parachute is mounted. A parachute is available for Shark.
Created as a high-performance, all-composite European ultralight, Jaro sought a fast-flying cross-country aircraft. Tandem seating and the related slim shape are essential to the goal. A flight exceeding 300 kilometers per hour (188 mph) proved Shark can zoom along quickly on its Rotax 912 engine.
The popular engine and sleek aircraft also allowed Jonathan to take a friend and enjoy a $20 hamburger (I’ll call it), with only $9 of that expended on an hour long flight to and from an airport restaurant.
The zippy speed, however, pushes Shark into the Experimental Amateur Built category as the speed is too fast for Light-Sport Aircraft in the USA and retractable gear is not what FAA had in mind when it created the category more than a dozen years ago.
If you are up for the building effort and if you have the budget for this speedster, you could enjoy exceptional visibility with the long, uninterrupted canopy. Tandem seating also helps both occupants get essentially the same view. In a slick design aspect, the aft seat enjoys its own instrumentation smoothly integrated into a cabin cross brace at the rear of the front seat.
Earlier, Jaro spoke of a LSA-compliant model with fixed gear and other changes to keep it within the parameters of FAA’s regulation, however, with the market mainly overseas where greater speed is permitted, movement toward that version appears to have been postponed.
If PB Aero finds a following for the retract Shark, the stiff-legged model might follow.
Look into the Sling. It’s a great LSA to fly !
At that price range, I am guessing a lot of buyers are going to stick with the Lancair Legacy. Or go high-wing and built a Glasair Sportsman. The low weight serves no purpose in the US, as you’re in the same regulatory class as much more capable airplanes. Congrats, you have the weight limits and impracticality of Light Sport, without the ease-of-ownership benefits because it’s too fast and has retracts. That very low weight limit just means you’ve limited the pool of buyers to jockeys. The buyers here are going to be small pilots on the wealthier end of the spectrum with time to spare to built it themselves who have an unusual interest in this specific airframe because of the way it looks. Sounds like a very small corner of the market to me.
Dan,
You are spot on. The airplane appeals to a very specific (for now, small) market 🙂 And yes, it’s in the same ballpark as the Lancair Legacy and Glasair Sportsman…but way better looking. 🙂
The low weight does yield unique flying qualities, not the least of which is speed, range as well as low-cost to operate and maintain. Small and lean does not mean weak and slow. 🙂
The tandem cockpit is 25 inches wide and will comfortably accommodate 6 plus footers!
Weighing in at 650 lbs empty and 1320 MTOW, the plane can easily carry 2 US-sized real people and a full tank of gas, enough to take them to Jacksonville, FL or Atlanta from DC in 4 hours…that’s a tiny 27 gallon tank…of gasoline…Think about that…Just tooling around for an hour or two on the weekends working the pattern and getting burgers, we show up at the field with five gallon tank of gas…and usually have some leftover.
As well, it packs a whole lot of safety…all aircraft parachute, dual controls, long-throw trailing arm suspension…as you wish glass cockpits and autopilot…
As far as time and effort, there are builder assist programs that can help.
Again, you’re right. It’s an airplane made for a very discerning small crowd. But in time, I’m sure more will get to appreciate it.
Like I said, if you find yourself in Northern VA, swing by, check it out…Experience it for yourself.
🙂
JBB
I fear that Larry is absolutely correct. Maybe the European market can support this beautiful aircraft but the North American market surely will not. I think it’s also time to admit that the LSA category is a failed, though worthy experiment. Sure, we’d all love to buy a brand new, turn key composite plane for 35 grand, but it’s just not possible. Given the failure of the Cessna Sky Catcher I don’t think the LSA market is going to find any use except for old aircraft (J3 Cub) that might be repurposed under the LSA moniker. As much as America loathes to take a tip from other countries I think Canada has the right idea with the “owner maintenance” category and the considerably easier restrictions on homebuilt maintenance. I would love to see a comparison between Canadian and American accident rates and causes to see if those, more stringent American regulations are actually paying off. I do know one thing for sure though; those American restrictions have brought about some the most creative design solutions imaginable, both inside and outside their borders. General aviation the world over owes a tip of the hat my American friends 🙂 Now, if they could just figure out how to build that 35,000 turn key plane… give’em a few more years… someone is going to do it. As for the Shark though… It’ll always draw attention on the ramp because there just won’t be very many of them around. Beautiful plane though!
Hi Darryl,
Thank you!
I agree, the LSA category is dead. But this does not mean, there won’t be a demand for small light aircraft, especially ones that are fast and good looking. 🙂
Whilst we’re taking cues from the Canadians, check out their “Advanced-Ultralight” category.
As far as $35K aircraft, check out the Aeromarine-LSA’s Merlin. It’s aluminium and is a single seater, but is thoroughly modern and looks great!
If you’re in Northern VA, give me a call. Check out the Shark.
🙂
JBB
“If you are up for the building effort and if you have the budget for this speedster, … ”
I guess so! They’re saying this thing will be $178.5K and I have to build it, too !!! Are they serious? Anyone interested in those kinds of speeds and homebuilding will build an RV8, or similar, not one of these. And, it’s nowhere close to meeting Light Sport specifications.
Won’t be long before this third “shark” iteration follows its brethren into the aviation history books.
Hi Larry,
It’s not meant to be a LSA.
The price of the kit is $78K. The price that you mentioned includes engine, avionics and builder’s assistance program.
It’s a completely unique experience, way more elegant and exciting than anything on the market. It also costs significantly less to operate. You have to fly her before you make any judgement. 🙂
If interested, please contact me. Let’s fly.
[email protected]
🙂
Vr,
JBB