New LSA prototype was introduced for the first time this week at International Engineering Fair. STOL Cruiser is a new aircraft developed by Direct Fly in cooperation with Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering CTU in Prague.
STOL Cruiser was designed as an all-metal, single engine, two seat, high wing aircraft with conventional empennage layout. Powered by propeller power unit in tractor configuration. It’s main advantage is a very short take-off and landing distance mostly thanks to low stalling speed. The aircraft advantage is also its high cruising speed unusual for this category. Significant asset of this aircraft is also a big cabin space which enables the aircraft for multipurpose use. Fuel tanks with maximum capacity of 100 l guarantee relatively high range and endurance
Wing of the aircraft is self-supporting and trapezoidal. Trailing edge is equipped with efficient Fowler flap which is divided into two parts. Leading edge is equipped with a slat. Inner part is controlled together with flaps while outer part is automatic and opens when certain angle of attack is exceeded. The fuselage has semi-monocoque construction built by a load bearing skin, bent stringers and pressed bulkheads.
Another target of the project has been a development of Match Hole technology. The principle of it lies in drilling holes for the connecting material already in the stage of metal cutting – milling process. The parts thus obtained are then passed on to other shaping operations – bending and forming. After the subsequent surface treatment, the parts are passed on to final assembly. The system ensures that the individual parts fit together with a minimum of finishing operations. The main advantage of this system lies in its effectiveness. Implementation of MHT drastically reduces production costs and times, eliminates the need to use complex tools/jigs to mount individual parts in assemblies and reduces the need for experienced personnel.
World premiere for STOL Cruiser aircraft is planned for international air show Aero Friedrichshaffen in April 2022. Certification flight tests of the aircraft will take place in Spring next year as well.
This project has been co-financed with state support of Technology Agency of the Czech Republic in EPSILON programme.
Are you in Denmark, Sweden or Norway? Do you want to see our Alto 912 TG in person without having to travel to the Czech Republic? Then we have great news for you!
Our colleagues are heading to Scandinavia next week with our company’s demo aircraft. And they are really looking forward to meet up with other flight enthusiasts. So if you’re interested, feel free to contact them at sponer@directfly.cz. And if that does not work out, you are always welcome at our home airport Brno-Medlánky.
„First thing we noticed was the excellent craft made of the aircraft focused on details. It is obvious that Direct Fly has been on the LSA market for some time now and their products belong among quality aircraft.“
Our Alto with serial number DF115 has been flying in Slovakian ULpilot flight school for some time now. So we were very happy to see a new article on famous aviation website Gonzo Aviation about above mentioned flight school and the new addition to their fleet. The article is in Slovakian, so if you are familiar with the language you can read the whole article here.
For those speaking neither Slovak nor Czech (which are two quite similar languages), we’ve translated a few parts of the interview mentioning our Alto below for you.
“So what’s the Alto 912 TG really like? Our first impression can be expressed in the words that the Alto with it’s size and an MTOW of 600 kg rather belongs to the higher category of aircraft. Only with a difference of almost half the price of comparable certified machines. And not only the forward sliding canopy gives us the impression of a small Z-142. The aircraft cabin is so spacious, that even two tall men will be comfortable in it. And comfort is important as with full tanks, the Alto’s range is approximately 900 km.
It was obvious from the first flight that the Alto 912 TG is very suitable aircraft for flight schools. The biggest advantages are nice flight characteristics, low stall speed and mostly the fact, that the aircraft is stable in all flight modes, which is really important for new pilots and students.
Among others the Slovakian Alto is equipped with glass cockpit and autopilot by Kanardia, radio and transponder by Trig, ground adjustable Fiti Eco Competition propeller or parachute rescue system Galaxy GRS. And more over the aircraft is not only pretty from the inside but also on the outside. It is one of the first metallic Alto’s with the new design.”
To find out more about our Alto 912 TG offer, contact us on marketing@directfly.cz.
Even with the world full of troubles, the year 2020 brought many good news to our company. And with them some of our new colleagues abroad.
After many months and numerous e-mails exchanges, we made a pact with American pilot Scott Rose. A few years went by since a new Alto appeared in the United States up until July last year when Scott established new distributors company Alto North America. Their new demo aircraft commemorating the American movie classic Ghost Busters cannot be missed at any airfield. Not only because of its bright green colour and stickers, but also thanks to Scott’s implementation of Smoke System.
Not surprisingly, the covid-19 pandemic did not only influence everyday life here in the Czech Republic, but air shows in the USA as well. Therefore, the new distributor did not get many chances to introduce the aircraft to the American LSA society. Nevertheless, they were lucky to visit the Holiday Fly In at the Sun n’ Fun campus, where the well-known Dan Johnson paid them a visit. Now you can find the outcome of their meeting at ByDanJohnson website or on the YouTube channel Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer.
However, the United States are not the last of remote countries to welcome Alto in its skies. In the following months two aircraft will be sent to Argentina and another two ready to fly pieces to South Korea. In both of these countries Direct Fly recently found new partners. In Argentina it is Diego Clerici whose company Hélices Clerici produces propellers. In Korea it is a flying school and club called Island Aviation. We believe that all of the above mentioned countries bear a great potential for all-metal light sport aircraft and we’re looking forward to seeing where the new partnerships will lead in the future.
We have enlarged our production capacities with new painting box made by experienced Italian producer SAIMA for painting of all-metal light sport aircraft. It’s modern certified technology allows tempering up to 60 °C and our customers can choose from more than 10 thousand colours, including the recently popular car shades, in glass, semi-matte and matte.
For all-metal aircraft we also offer our services in preparing a graphic foil design and its application on painted aircraft. Prices for our painting and graphic work are based on individual requirements and its range.
Contact us via contact form or e-mail info@directfly.cz.
See examples of our recent work:
Dear friends of ultralight flying, dear colleagues,
not many people would expect that a year that was meant to be filled with many new plans, festivals and salons, would start with situation that currently hugely affects the lives of all of us. We cannot run away from it, unfortunately not even in the air. Even though everything gets much better up there. However we still believe that many interesting things are ahead of us this year.
Seems the situation in the Czech Republic is slowly getting better. Fortunately our company has not been directly affected and the production is running without any restriction. Our employees have even been a part of the medical supply transportation program.
We work hard on finishing the all-metal high-wing STOL Cruiser, as well as on the improvements of our Alto aircraft. We also plan a meeting of the ALTO friends and owners with the kit building competition in this years autumn.
In the time of our existence, we have grown from small company to a company with stable background and wide net of partners all around the world. ALTO flies on all continents except for Antarctica. And we like to stay in touch with all of our customers and Alto friends. Especially in these times.
We’re glad, that you are still with us, so please do not hesitate to contact us if there’s anything we could help you with. And for those, that would love to run away up in the air with a new aircraft, we offer a special price, with 10% discount from basic price, on all aircraft orders from all destinations except the ones with our official distributors. For that country offer, please contact your specific distributor. Or write us and we will forward your message.
Wishing you all the best.
Ivo Lederer
C.E.O., Direct Fly, s.r.o.
We successfully delivered the second ALTO 912 TG to Australia in the end of the last year and soon after that it met its new owner. However right before that it managed to take part in the celebration of the 116th anniversary of the first aircraft flight by the Wright brothers. You can watch video from the formation flight of two red Altos or see some great photographs in our photo gallery.
Are you looking for a beautiful Christmas present for a fan of ultralight aircraft? We cooperated with a czech manufacturer Vrky spolu who created a small model of our ALTO from birch plywood. You can easily and quickly build the 1:64 kit with your children at home and you can buy it directly through the Vrky spolu e-shop or write us and we will manage it for you.
