Ok, despite their protestations that “You probably know us as innovators and high tech engineers but in a lot of ways we're really quite old school.”, these guys pay attention to the industry and are releasing/marketing their new plane right!
Perhaps I should back up a bit though and admit that I’m a big fan-boy of this plane ever since I first saw images of it. The LoPresti Fury is essentially a Globe Swift beaten into submission by the aerodynamic boffins at LoPresti.
Performance specs on this plane are listed as follows on their website:
Red Line speed - 285 MPH
Max speed (Lycoming IO360) - 222 MPH
Cruise speed - 215 MPH
Stall Speed (flaps) - 54 MPH
Fuel Burn 75% - 10 GPH
Range (with 45 minute reserve) - 1000 SM
Rate of climb (at sea level) - 1350 FPM
Service Ceiling - 21,000 FT
Design Gross Weight - 2300 LBS
Empty Weight - 1450 LBS
Useful Load - 850 LBS
Engine - Lycoming IO 360A1B6
Horsepower - 200 HP
Wing Loading - 16.6 LB/SQ FT
Fuel Capacity (Useable Fuel) - 60 GAL
Wing Area - 138.6 SQ FT
Wing Span - 29.3 FT
Cabin Width - 44 IN
Cabin Height - 45 IN
Wheel Base - 12 FT 5 IN
Baggage Capacity - 200 LBS
Fully Aerobatic (exceeds FAA +/- G aerobatic requirements)
Ultimate Load 7+G's
Military style HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick)
Dual independent redundant brake systems
Curved parallax correction instrument panel
Roller bearing jet design push rod controls
Sequenced main gear doors
RAM boost air induction
Custom gauge selection (Analog or Digital instruments)
Completely flush riveted
This is not some fly-by-night wanna-be plane designers who plan on taking deposits and disappearing into the night. When you place an order for a new plane (the first year’s production of 60 is already sold out) the only deposit you need to make is $35k certificate of deposit (CD) in YOUR NAME ONLY. This means that you are free to take your money out and walk away at any time. Your agreement is that they can’t touch that CD until they have scheduled your plane for production and given you the 90-180 day window for build time. The balance of the cost of the plane isn’t due until your personal aircraft’s empennage has been skinned.
The capper on the whole thing is their anticipate delivery process. They claim the delivery process is going to be a one week process that will include going through their Top Gun Combat training program! I love the idea of rolling a transition training program into a Top Gun aerial combat format. What a fantastic way to get your attention.
I’m guessing I’ll need to put out a tip jar now if I ever plan on getting one of these babies though.
Want to learn more about this fun little steed? You can check out the LoPresti Fury site or visit Plane&Pilot’s pirep of the Fury. Tell us what you think about this sexy little beast in the comments section below.
Tags: lopresti fury, airplanes, acrobatic