Virus SW 600 D

The Pipistrel Virus SW 600 D is the 600 kg ultralight version of the Virus SW. The Virus line first flew on 10 August 1999; the short-wing SW was developed from 2007 and series-built from 2008, and the manufacturer states that more than 1,000 Virus SW are in operation today. On 10 April 2019 the DULV in Großerlach issued type certificate no. 965-19 1 for the type "Virus SW 600 D", series Rotax 912 ULS / MTV-33-1-A/170-200 – one of the first types approved under the German LTF-UL of 15 January 2019, the 600 kg ultralight class. The listing spellings "Virus SW 100 600D" and "Virus SW600D" both refer to exactly this type.

The type data sheet describes the airframe as a composite (FVK) high-wing design with T-tail, nosewheel gear and a tractor engine. The manufacturer quotes a 10.71 m span, 9.51 m² of wing and an aspect ratio of 11.3 – that figure does not follow from the dimensions and is a factory statement. Per the data sheet the flaps extend to 20° down and reflex to 5° up. Series 965-19 1 uses the Rotax 912 ULS, while series 965-19 2 (first issued 8 July 2020) uses the fuel-injected Rotax 912 iS (73.5 kW); both drive a hydraulically controlled 1.70 m Mühlbauer MTV-33-1-A/170-200 through a 2.43:1 reduction. Related variants include the 472.5 kg SW 80, SW 100 and SW 100 iS, the Rotax 914 turbo SW 115, the type-certified SW 121 and the electric Velis Electro.

Performance is remarkable for an ultralight. At 600 kg the manufacturer's brochure quotes, for the Rotax 912 ULS series, 246 km/h cruise, 1,196 km range, 5 h 48 min endurance plus 30 minutes reserve and 5.3 m/s climb; for the Rotax 912 iS series 273 km/h, 1,616 km, 7 h 30 min plus reserve and 6.1 m/s. Take-off distance over a 15 m obstacle is 320 m, landing distance over the same obstacle 445 m, and the service ceiling 18,000 ft. The iS series data sheet lists VD 334 km/h, VNE 301 km/h IAS, VH 222 km/h, VA 185 km/h, VS0 83 km/h and 6.1 m/s climb at Vy = 144 km/h. The fuel-flow figures on the product page – 17.8 l/h for the 912 ULS and 15.5 l/h for the 912 iS – belong to its own data set at 472.5 kg with 5.3 h / 1,450 km and 6.4 h / 1,720 km respectively and cannot be combined with the brochure numbers. Engine off, the Virus SW glides 1:17 at 118 km/h according to the manufacturer.

Efficiency and range are where the Virus SW 600 D shines: at 600 kg the data sheet requires a minimum useful load of 251 kg, which puts maximum empty weight at 349 kg; the brochure quotes 340 kg empty and 260 kg useful load for a typically equipped aircraft, and the manufacturer's website 40 kg of baggage – the data sheet itself sets no baggage limit. Its 69 dBA noise figure and LTF-UL 2019 certification basis make it one of the most modern ultralights flying in Germany, and the GRS 6/600 SD recovery system is part of the approval. Know the downsides too: the hydraulic constant-speed propeller costs more to maintain than a fixed prop and needs proper training. A 445 m landing distance over 15 m is no short-field figure, and with VS0 at 83 km/h the final approach is flown faster than in a C42. Published figures are also not fully consistent: the data sheet and product page give 6.50 m length and 1.85 m height, the brochure 6.45 m and 2.08 m. Load limits are +4 g / -2 g.

The Virus SW 600 D is a touring ultralight for pilots who want to cover distance: two people, baggage, over 1,000 km of range and cruise speeds of 246 to 273 km/h on the fuel flow of a Rotax 912. Pilots after thermalling and glide performance should look at the Sinus or Taurus instead.