Pioneer 300 Kite

The Pioneer 300 Kite is the fixed-gear version of the Alpi Aviation Pioneer 300. Instead of fully retractable gear it carries a fixed tricycle undercarriage – saving mechanism, maintenance and weight, which appeals to pilots who want the 300 without the responsibility of retractable gear. Everything else stays familiar: a mixed-construction low-wing aircraft in wood and composite, cruciform tail, two seats side by side.

With the Kite it pays to study the paperwork closely, because two quite different data sets are in circulation. German DAeC data sheet 61187.1 (issue 7, dated 4 July 2013) describes the "300 KITE" series with 8.30 m span, 10.9 m² wing area, 6.27 m length and 472.5 kg MTOW with a rescue system installed. The New Zealand dealer ALPI Aviation NZ Ltd instead describes a short-wing configuration with 7.55 m span, 10.5 m² area, 315 kg empty weight and 560 kg MTOW. No type approval is named for those differing dealer figures; only the data sheet for the specific aircraft is binding. Kites registered in Germany fly under 61187.1 with 8.30 m and no more than 472.5 kg.

Under the German data sheet the Kite is powered by the 73.5 kW Rotax 912 S, with either a wooden Tonini two-blade or an adjustable AVTECH AVY2HS propeller. The configuration described by the New Zealand dealer is quoted with the Rotax 912 ULS2 (100 hp). The same dealer's figures give about 220 km/h cruise at 75 %, 240 km/h top speed, roughly 900 km range from 80 litres of fuel and a 12:1 glide ratio. The German data sheet caps VNE at 260 km/h with the MAGNUM Highspeed Softpack or 270 km/h with the Lightspeed Softpack, with a minimum speed of 63 km/h.

Strengths are simpler and cheaper mechanics than the retractable version, solid touring performance at low fuel burn, quiet operation at 59.8 dB(A) and the ability to use shorter grass strips. Weaknesses: fixed gear costs top speed against the Pioneer 300 UL and the Griffon, wooden construction requires a dry hangar, no dedicated 600 kg data sheet for the Kite series is known (the 600 kg run through data sheet 66187 for the 300 and 300 Griffon series, there also with fixed gear), and useful load of the 472.5 kg version appears only in the individual weighing report – with an empty weight around 315 kg, even the dealer's 560 kg configuration leaves limited reserve.

The Kite suits pilots who want Pioneer touring performance while keeping maintenance and insurance lean, and who are comfortable with the older, lighter certification standard. Those needing 600 kg and maximum speed should look at the Pioneer 300 Griffon. Minimum, average and maximum prices are calculated live on this page from the active offers.