EV-97 Eurostar

The Evektor EV-97 Eurostar is a two-seat ultralight from Kunovice in the Czech Republic. It traces back to the Pottier P 220 S Koala, which Evektor-Aerotechnik comprehensively redesigned from September 1996; the prototype OK-CUR 97 first flew in May 1997 and the first customer aircraft was delivered in October 1997. In Germany the type was distributed by the importer Flugsportzentrum Bautzen. It is approved as an ultralight in Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Slovakia, Finland and the United Kingdom, among others.

The Eurostar is an all-metal low-wing design: fuselage, wing and tail are built from anodised, corrosion-protected aluminium, riveted and bonded, while wing tips, engine cowling and main gear legs are fibreglass. The 8.10 m wing with 9.84 m² of area uses a modified NACA 4415 section with 3° dihedral, and the four-position split flaps (0/15/30/50°) are mechanically actuated, electrically on request. The family evolved in stages: Model 99 as the first production version, then from late 1999 the Model 2000 with a 4 cm wider fuselage, greater span and revised wing tips, followed by teamEurostar 2001 (renamed because of the rail trademark), 2002 and 2005 with optional electric flaps and a new instrument panel. In 2004 the Model 2000/R variant was approved in Germany for a 472.5 kg takeoff weight. Power comes from a Rotax 912 UL (80 hp) or 912 ULS (100 hp), with the Jabiru 2200 also offered; the cabin is 1.04 m wide, or 1.18 m as an option.

In the air the Eurostar is a brisk but well-mannered tourer: type data sheets and manufacturer figures give 160–180 km/h cruise on 80 hp and 180–200 km/h on 100 hp, the upper value being the speed at maximum power rather than a continuous cruise setting. Never-exceed speed depends on the series: 215 km/h on the Model 97, 225 km/h on the Model 99 and Model 2000, and 270 km/h only on the Model 2000/R (260 km/h with the Magnum Highspeed Softpack) – the individual aircraft's data sheet is always what counts. Stall speed with flaps is 65 km/h CAS, climb 5.5 m/s (80 hp) or 8.0 m/s (100 hp), takeoff run 145 m or 100 m, landing run 200 m, service ceiling 5,000 m and glide ratio 10. The fuselage tank holds 50 l as standard, optionally 65 l or 78 l; at 11 l/h (80 hp) or 14 l/h (100 hp) that works out to roughly 450 to 800 km without reserve. Operating load factors are +4/−2 g, ultimate +6/−3 g. Across all Eurostar series, listings on ul-flugzeugmarkt.de run between 21,000 and 85,000 euros; the range for this series and the build years of the aircraft currently listed are shown live at the top of this page.

Its strengths are the durable metal airframe, the low running costs of the Rotax 912 installation, wide distribution – Jane's records more than 500 aircraft of all versions ordered and 470 flying by August 2005 – and the resulting good supply of parts and maintenance know-how. A noise level of 60 dB(A) under German LSL chapter 6 keeps it welcome at noise-sensitive airfields, and a rescue system, wing folding mechanism and tow hook were available as options. The weaknesses are just as clear: with a 450 kg takeoff weight and a German-specification empty weight of 288 to 294 kg, useful load is tight, baggage behind the seats is limited to 15 kg, the standard 1.04 m cabin is snug for two large pilots, and the baseline propeller is a fixed-pitch wooden unit.

The Eurostar suits pilots who want to travel two-up with light baggage at a decent pace and prefer metal to composite – a maintenance-friendly, widespread type with honest handling that also works for training. Anyone wanting a roomier cabin, 472.5 kg takeoff weight and the cleaner aerodynamics of the Sleek Line generation should compare the EV-97 EuroStar SL; those who need a 600 kg approval will have to look at newer series altogether.