Reading a bit more, it was among the most popular planes at Oshkosh in 2019. The target is obviously North America, even though it’s a German plane with the factory in Germany. It’s a German pilot, Frank Koinzer, who simply gathered some people and made his dream plane. In the process, it became clear that others also wanted such a plane, so he made it in kit form.
Emir wrote:
I can see it useful only in paradropping operations but for that it has to be certified aircraft
Why?
If I had 1m € laying around, then I would have given it some thought perhaps, but for that money a turbine helicopter would be higher on the list. Really cool plane though
This may be cheaper and possibly more practical.
Might a Turbine Beaver also fit the bill? Perhaps The Explorer is aimed at the DHC Beaver market if it ever went into production as a certified aircraft?
I can’t imagine anybody calling a plane “Beaver” today
LeSving wrote:
I can see it useful only in paradropping operations but for that it has to be certified aircraft.
Why?
Because I don’t know how you can legally run A to A operation (plus paradropping) in Europe on experimental aircraft. AFAIK no EASA country would allow it.
Emir wrote:
Because I don’t know how you can legally run A to A operation (plus paradropping) in Europe on experimental aircraft. AFAIK no EASA country would allow it.
I don’t see the problem. You certainly can run “non EASA” operations with “non EASA” aircraft. Is there a regulation saying dropping jumpers has to be done with “EASA aircraft” ?
DRACO was the star of Oshkosh 2019. Never heard of the explorer
Looks like the ultimate backcountry family plane ! The True Flying SUV !
If I was american and had the money, I would look into it for weekends at Johnson creek
What is most surprising … is that this plane is German !!
(The protytpe is N reg so they flight test in the US)
tmo wrote:
There is (was?) a turbine Wilga called Draco as well.
Was. Mike Patey (the designer/builder/pilot) crashed it whilst trying to take off in too strong a crosswind. I think he has plans to re-built it.