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LA2207 Aeroprakt A-22 "Sharik" c/n 007 - Damme aerodrome in Germany - 3 May 1999 Ultralight aeroplanes

The Aeroprakt A-22 is an Ukrainian-designed, metal-structured, side-by-side two-seater ultralight aircraft, with an excellent short take-off and landing (STOL) performance. The A22 is designed by Aeroprakt Kiev. The history of Aeroprakt Kiev began in 1986 when Yuri Yakovlev , after graduating from Kuybyshev (now Samara) aviation institute, was invited to work at the Antonov Design Bureau in Kiev. Having met the fellows in his hobby Yuri founded together with them an amateur aircraft design club which received the name Aeroprakt nearly similar named as the Aeropract in Kuybyshev the club where Yuri begun his activity as aircraft designer and made his first successful steps in this area. Kiev Aeroprakt began its activity from aerodynamic research of Aeroprakt-8 aeroplane built by Yuri Yakovlev during his work in Kuybyshev Aeropract. The research was carried out in a wind tunnel of the Central Hydro-Aerodynamic Institute in Moscow. In winter of 1987 Kiev Aeroprakt started designing and building the two-seat primary trainer Aeroprakt "T-8", and in 1991 the prototype A-20 was built by members of the Aeroprakt Aero Club at Kiev. Among the club members were aeronautical engineers employed by the Antonov company. The airplanes were designed by Yuri Yakolev, Aeroprakt started production of the A-20 "Chervonets" in 1993, initially with Finnish funding. The prototype of the A22 first flew in November 1996 and was designated the A-22 "Sharik". The A-22 is a two-seat ultralight airplane combining the advantages of a traditional airplane layout (strut-braced highwing side-by-side two-seater with engine in front and tricycle undercarriage with steerable nose-wheel and traditional all-metal design. The continuity in structure of A-20 and A-22 (wing and tail), wide-scale use of traditional and reliable "metal" technology, high level of pilot comfort, excellent flight performance and "classic" appearance of A-22 are the warrants of its success in the light airplane market. At the present time A-22 is produced in series. The A22 is available as a basic kit, a quick-build "final assembly kit" or as a factory-built, fly-away sport aircraft. Standard engine is now the 100hp Rotax 912UL-S although the plane performs very well with the basic 80hp Rotax 912UL. Other power units such as the Jabiru could also be considered. Yuri originally dubbed his new design "Sharik" likely because of the distinctive fin. In Germany the plane has achieved certification to the demanding BFU-95 requirement but is known simply as the A-22. In the USA they call it the "Valor" or "Valour". In Britain the A22 is called the "Foxbat".

On 3 May 1999, Aeroprakt A-22 LA2207 was photographed at Damme airfield in Germany where it was tested by the FUL - Fachschule für Ultraleichtflug. The registration LA2207 on the aeroplane points that the A-22 was registered in the Ukraine: however LA is used by the Ukraine - light aircraft - it seams not to be really an "LA" by a Cyrillic letter combination.

page last updated: 01-09-2005
Copyright © Jack Wolbrink, Emmen, the Netherlands
 

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