A milestone for the Slovenian airplane maker: Pipistrel's new Panthera completed its maiden flight. The very successful first flight lasted 54 minutes.
After having completed ground functional and taxi tests at Pipistrel's Headquarters at Ajdovscina, Slovenia, the Panthera relocated to the Airport of Cerklje ob Krki, where Slovenian Armed Forces are providing us invaluable logistics support.
After high-speed taxi runs and jumps above the runway, test pilot Mirko Anžel and co-pilot Sašo Knez lifted off the runway at 14:15 local time and spent 54 minutes in the air, evaluating Panthera's behavior and performing system checks.
Interestingly, both pilots agreed the handling was straight-forward and pilot friendly, with parameters exactly as predicted - a true statement to skill of the development team and reassurance that all target performance goals will be met. Panthera so far completed several hours of flying with undercarriage - both out and retracted.
CEO of Pipistrel, Ivo Boscarol, says: "This is Pipistrel's first entry into the world of General Aviation. We knew for a long time that we were capable of developing and producing aircraft larger and more capable than ultralights/LSAs. Panthera is proof that Pipistrel's team can indeed compete with the most eminent global general aviation producers. Also, Panthera is Slovenia's first ever 4-seat aeroplane design headed for production."
The new Panthera is a revolutionary 4-seat General Aviation aeroplane, capable of flying 4 people for 1000 NM, cruising at 200 kts, burning only 10 gallons of fuel per hour. With full composite construction with titanium retractable undercarriage, enhanced comfort and parachute rescue system standard, Panthera can be equipped with the conventional, hybrid, or all electric propulsion system.
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