The Furio is setting the benchmark in high-performance kit aircraft. It is now completed and the prototype is undergoing test flying. First production kits will be available from mid 2008.
Tasman Crossing
After an uneventful last leg of the Journey across the Tasman Ocean, Furio ZK-LLG arrived back at base on Friday and is now safely tucked in the Falcomposite hangar in Auckland.
Tasman Crossing
After a 24 hour delay due to bad weather over the Tasman, ZK-LLG has left Port Macquire on the way to refuel at Lord Howe Island before continuing on to Norfolk. On board for the return trip are Giovanni Nustrini and Mary Patterson (and a lot of luggage...)
UPDATE: After two uneventful flights ZK-LLG overnighted on Norfolk before the final leg of the journey which (weather permitting) should take place Friday 20th. Flight times for the Port Macquire - Lord Howe leg was 1h52m while the Lord Howe - Norfolk leg took 2h55m.
After a very successful showing at Avalon, ZK-LLG has started the journey back to New Zealand and is currently making its way to Port Macquire via Wagga Wagga. Weather permitting, the Tasman crossing is scheduled for Tuesday 17th - Wednesday 18th.
ZK-LLG is now on its way to Southport on the final leg of the crossing.
A flight time of approximately 3 hours.
UPDATE: Furio 001 ZK-LLG has landed in Southport, Australia. Flight time for this leg was 2:30.
Leg 3 - Norfolk to Lord Howe
Leg 3 is underway. ZK-LLG took off at 8:20 local time from Norfolk island and is currently half way to Lord Howe island.
Weather is good with a slight tail wind.
Current TAS is 170 kts.
Expected flight time is approximately 3 hours.
UPDATE: Landed on Lord Howe Island after 3:02 of flight time.
Cruised most of the way at 8500', with 21.5" MAP, 2300 RPM with 168kts of TAS.
Fuel burn for this leg was 102 lit. (27 gals)
Leg 2 - Kerikeri to Norfolk Island
13:20 NZDT
ZK-LLG is currently half way on leg 2, on target to reach Norfolk at around 13:30 local time. (15:00 NZDT)
UPDATE:
15:20 NZDT
ZK-LLG has landed on Norfolk island as scheduled.
Some flight details:
Flight time - 3:45 min
Fuel burn - 110 lit. (29 gals)
A slight headwind was present throughout ranging up to 15 kts.
Most of the flight was done at 7500', 21" MAP, 2300 RPM, with a TAS of 158 kts.
ZK-LLG is on its way!
Leg 1 - Ardmore to Kerikeri
At 9:49am local time, Furio ZK-LLG has taken off from Ardmore airport on its way to clear customs at Kerikeri.
Take off was uneventful if a bit longer than we are used to given the fully loaded configuration approaching MTOW.
Expected flight time is of approximately 50 minutes.
UPDATE:
LLG has landed in Kerikeri with a flight time of 54 minutes. Customs have been cleared and conditions at Norfolk are clearing up. Takeoff is expected at around 12:00pm local time.
Furio 001 ZK-LLG will fly across the Tasman Sea from New Zealand to Australia, to attend the Australian International Airshow at Avalon this coming March.
The over 1,300 nautical miles journey will be flown by pilots Mike Foster and Giovanni Nustrini. It will be divided into four legs: Auckland (NZ) to Kerikeri, Kerikeri (NZ) to Norfolk Island, Norfolk Island to Lord Howe Island (Australia), Lord Howe Island to South Port on the Gold Coast of Australia.
Intended date of departure is Monday 16th February at 08:00 local time with an overnight stop at Norfolk, to continue the next day to South Port.
Check back soon for updates.
Progress Report
After a rather long time of “silence” (we have been busy) ,we are finally back with some exciting news!
Kits number 2-3-4 and 5 are in production now, with kit number 2 being delivered by the end of June to our first New Zealand Customer. Kits number 3 and 4 will be delivered to our first 2 Australian Clients and kit number 5 to another New Zealand Client.
The Prototype, ZK_LLG has now clocked a rather “uneventful” 50 hours of flying. All systems work to perfection and very few adjustments were needed on the first production run.
Kit number 2 will be powered by a Lycoming IO-390 (210 HP) and will have a Hartzell Propeller. Based on the performance figures of our prototype (powered by an io-360-180HP), we are expecting a Cruise of close to 200 kts at 9-10,000 ft! Watch this space for updates.
Our composite manufacturing facility is now fully operational at Ardmore Airfield and we have also just purchased another large hangar that will be used for our build assist program.
We have now completed our test flying program of 25 hours, and New Zealand CAA have issued a non terminating "permit to fly" in the amateur built-experimental category!
The FURIO flies like a dream, it performs and does everything we were looking for and has even exceeded a lot of the projected performance figures!
A delight to fly, precise, light and powerful!
...and roomy!!! So much space in that cockpit, after flying the lovely Falco for years, we are now getting lost in the cockpit of the FURIO!!
Preparations are under way for the trip to Wanaka to attend the "Warbirds over Wanaka" airshow 2008. We look forward to see you there! Look for the bright yellow FURIO!
Furio first flight
On the 6th of February 2008 at 0640, The FURIO LN 27 RG ZK-LLG made a successful first flight followed by 2 more flights at the controls of test pilot Roger Shepherd.
8 hours have been flown so far.
Keep checking this column as we will be updating the news on a regular basis starting from our return from the Tauranga SAA airshow.
Sunday 17th at 12:45 we have a special slot when we will be demonstrating the FURIO.
We look forward to see you at the Tauranga Airshow!
Safe flying,
The Falcomposite Team
