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Virus SW-80 Aircraft Information
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Virus SW-80 Aircraft Information
Virus SW-80 Aircraft Information
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1
Question
What type of aircraft is the Virus SW-80 and what are its primary characteristics?
Answer
The Virus SW-80 is a high wing, T-tail, two-seater microlite aircraft made primarily of composite materials. It has three-axis control, powered by a single ROTAX 912 A 4-cylinder horizontally opposed 4-stroke engine producing 80 HP. It features flaperons, dual main flight control levers, and a robust tricycle undercarriage with two main brake-equipped wheels and a steerable nose wheel.
2
Question
What materials are used in the construction of the Virus SW-80's airframe?
Answer
The aircraft is constructed almost entirely from composite materials including glass, carbon, foam, fabric, Kevlar, and acrylic paint. Metal parts are limited to tubes, sheet metal, rods, cables, bolts, and nuts. Composite parts are made in moulds ensuring consistent structural shape, and the firewall is reinforced with heat and noise insulation using a glass-flame retardant sandwich.
3
Question
Describe the Virus SW-80's cockpit safety and comfort features.
Answer
The cockpit uses 2 mm anti-UV GE tinted Lexan windows that resist shattering. Doors and overhead windows provide cabin ventilation through special vents. The cabin has provisions for heating and windshield defrost/demist using hot engine air. Two fixed seats include 'H' type safety harnesses attached at three points and have removable cushions for seat height adjustment; rudder pedals allow leg length adjustment.
4
Question
How is the Virus SW-80's undercarriage designed and controlled?
Answer
It uses a fixed tricycle undercarriage with two main brake-equipped wheels mounted on 'U'-piece composite struts and a steerable nose wheel with a spring-type shock absorber. The nose wheel is cable-connected and steered via rudder pedals. Brakes are hydraulically operated disc brakes on the main wheels only, controlled by a central handbrake lever with a lock latch for parking brake; the nose wheel has no brakes.
5
Question
What flying control surfaces does the Virus SW-80 have and how are they operated?
Answer
The Virus SW-80 has flaperons on each wing that function as both ailerons and flaps, elevators, and a rudder. Dual flight control sticks move laterally to control aileron movement of the flaperons; a flap lever between seats controls flap extension with three positions: 0° (fully retracted), 15°, and 25° extended. Elevators and flaperons are connected via push-pull tubes; rudder is controlled via cables connected to pedals. Elevator trim is electro-mechanical with a common cockpit switch.
6
Question
Explain the Parachute Rescue System installed on the Virus SW-80.
Answer
A GRS rocket-charged Parachute Rescue System is mounted behind the right seat inside a durable cylinder in the baggage compartment. The parachute is stored in a deployment bag with a rocket engine underneath. Activation is manual by pulling an overhead handle located between the two pilots, secured by a safety pin. Upon activation, the parachute canopy fully opens in approximately 3.2 seconds.
7
Question
What is the design and function of the Virus SW-80's propeller?
Answer
It is a fixed-pitch, two-blade propeller with a diameter of 1650 mm. The propeller is driven from the engine's central camshaft via an integrated reduction gearbox with a 1:2.27 reduction ratio. The gearbox includes a mechanical shock absorber and overload clutch to manage power transmission smoothly.
8
Question
Describe the power plant specifications of the Virus SW-80.
Answer
Powered by a Rotax 912 A engine—an 80 HP, four-cylinder, four-stroke, horizontally opposed twin-carbureted spark-ignition (dual electronic) engine with a single central camshaft. Cooling includes ram air-cooled cylinders, liquid-cooled cylinder heads, and oil-cooled moving parts. It uses dry sump lubrication, mechanical fuel pump, electric starter, integrated AC generator with external rectifier regulator, and drives the propeller through a reduction gearbox.
9
Question
How does the Virus SW-80's fuel system operate?
Answer
Fuel is stored in a vented fuselage tank accessed via a refueling aperture behind the wing. Fuel flows from the tank through a coarse filter, safety cock, water drain cock, and fine filter to a mechanical fuel pump, then to two carburetors. An optional electric fuel pump can be fitted between the fine filter and mechanical pump. The system includes fuel hoses protected by glass and silicon rubber and returns unused fuel to the tank. Fuel quantity is monitored by an electric gauge using a float system.
10
Question
What are the key features of the cooling and lubrication systems in the Virus SW-80's engine?
Answer
The cooling system cools cylinder heads with liquid coolant circulated by a water pump driven by the engine camshaft. Cylinders are cooled by ram air. The engine lacks a cooling fan and depends on airspeed for cooling. Lubrication uses a dry sump forced system with an oil pump, filtering, and redistribution of oil; hot oil is cooled through a radiator. Excess oil returns to the tank assisted by blow-by gases.
11
Question
Outline the electrical system components and capabilities on the Virus SW-80.
Answer
The electrical system includes a 12-volt circuit powered by an engine-driven 250-watt alternator and a 12V 10Ah lithium iron phosphate battery with a Battery Management System. Controls include master, magneto, and avionics switches, plus individual fused switches and lighting controls. Lighting includes wing tip navigation, strobe lights, cockpit gooseneck lighting, and backlit instruments. The system powers fuel boost pump, electric starter, communications, navigation (Garmin Aera 500 GPS), and engine management displays.
12
Question
What is the purpose and key features of the Instrument Panel and instrument systems on the Virus SW-80?
Answer
The instrument panel combines analog, digital, and hybrid gauges for altitude, airspeed, RPM, vertical speed, and engine parameters such as manifold pressure, temperatures, pressures, fuel quantity, and flow. Instrument lighting can be adjusted for day/night visibility. The system also integrates communication radios and GPS navigation. Critical warnings are displayed in red for various operational limits to alert the pilot.
13
Question
Explain the main limitations and prohibitions for operating the Virus SW-80 as stated in Chapter II.
Answer
Various operational maneuvers like power on/off stalls and lazy eights must be performed above certain altitudes (e.g., 1500 ft AGL for stalls), steep turns require specified initial speeds, spins must not be initiated below 2500 ft AGL, and the aircraft is approved for Day VFR only. Flying with doors open, heavy rain, thunderstorms, icing, blizzards, IMC/IFR conditions, or OAT above 55°C is prohibited. Aerobatics including full spins and takeoffs/landings with flaps retracted are also prohibited.
14
Question
How do wind conditions affect parking and takeoff/landing performance for the Virus SW-80?
Answer
For parking outdoors, maximum wind speed without tie-down is 15 Kts and with tie-down is 40 Kts. Soft grass runways increase takeoff distance by 20%. Headwinds reduce takeoff and landing distances by 8 meters for every 3 Kts increase, while tailwinds increase these distances by 18–28 meters per 3 Kts. Tailwinds have more than twice the effect on takeoff and landing performance compared to headwinds.
15
Question
What are the key dimensional specifications of the aircraft airframe such as wing span, length, and height?
Answer
Wing span is 10.5 metres, length is 6.5 metres, and height is 2.05 metres.
16
Question
What is the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and maximum landing weight (MLW) for the aircraft?
Answer
Both the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and maximum landing weight (MLW) are 472.5 kilograms.
17
Question
What is the maximum useful load and how much baggage weight can the aircraft carry?
Answer
The maximum useful load is 197.5 kilograms, and the maximum baggage weight is 20 kilograms.
18
Question
Describe the engine type and its primary characteristics used in this aircraft.
Answer
The engine is a Rotax 912 A, an 80 HP, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, horizontally opposed engine with spark ignition.
19
Question
What is the maximum permitted RPM of the engine during short (maximum 5 minutes) operation?
Answer
The maximum permitted RPM is 5800, allowed for a maximum duration of 5 minutes.
20
Question
What cooling system does the engine use?
Answer
The engine uses water cooling for the cylinder heads and ram air cooling for the cylinders.
21
Question
Explain the function and significance of the dual breakerless capacitor discharge ignition system in this engine.
Answer
It provides dual ignition to improve reliability and efficiency, preventing spark plug misfires and ensuring smoother engine operation.
22
Question
What are the take-off ground roll distances at MTOW for no obstacle and over a 50 ft obstacle?
Answer
At MTOW, the take-off ground roll is 140 metres for no obstacle and 225 metres over a 50 ft obstacle.
23
Question
Define the best climb speed and best climb rate at maximum takeoff weight and sea level conditions.
Answer
Best climb speed is 76 knots; best climb rate at MTOW and sea level is 1220 feet per minute (6.1 m/sec).
24
Question
What is the significance of stall speeds Vs and Vso, and what are their values?
Answer
Vs (stall speed clean/flaps up) is 43 knots; Vso (stall speed with flaps at 25° in landing configuration) is 35 knots. These define minimum controllable flight speeds in different configurations.
25
Question
Describe the normal operating speed range and maximum design maneuvering speed (VA) for this aircraft.
Answer
Normal operating speed (VNO) ranges up to 108 knots; maximum design maneuvering speed (VA) is 86 knots.
26
Question
What do the white, green, yellow, and red bands on the airspeed indicator (ASI) represent?
Answer
White band (35–70 knots) is the full flap operating range; green band (43–108 knots) is the normal operating range; yellow band (108–135 knots) is caution range (maneuver with caution in calm air); red band (135 knots) is the max speed for all operations (VNE).
27
Question
Outline the critical engine instrument markings for tachometer RPM ranges including minimum, normal operating, caution, and max RPM.
Answer
Minimum RPM (red line): 1600, Normal operating range (green): 1600–5500, Caution range (yellow): 5500–5800, Maximum RPM (red line): 5800.
28
Question
What are the main steps included in the cockpit preflight inspection procedure?
Answer
Check instruments and panel condition; verify battery ring is in slot; ensure switches off; turn master switch ON and check Gene Fail light; set instruments to initial positions; check pitot-static lines and cables; inspect main wing spar connections; check safety belts; verify fuel quantity and no leaks; check elevator trim neutral; flap movement and emergency parachute pin status.
29
Question
What external checks are important for the engine cowling and propeller during preflight?
Answer
Confirm engine cowling fasteners and screws are intact with no damage; spinner dome undamaged with secured bolts; propeller free from damage or cracks, clean, and bolts secure; check nose undercarriage for mechanical damage and secure hydraulic lines without leaks.
30
Question
Describe the correct procedure to enter the cockpit and adjust rudder pedals for comfort and control.
Answer
Lift the door to the bottom wing surface and secure with the silver knob; sit on the cabin edge placing hands for support; drag oneself in lifting only one leg over the stick; adjust rudder pedals by pulling the black knob in front of the stick; pedals can also be adjusted during flight; lower door by pulling silver knob gently; lock door handle securing all three points; fasten seat belts with assistance.