FAQ – Song Airplane

 

1. What materials is Song made from?

 

Song aircraft are molded entirely from aerospace quality carbon fiber, nomex honeycomb and epoxy materials. Spars are precision molded with unidirectional carbon fiber spar caps. Fuselage and wing skins are sandwich construction with carbon fabric and nomex honeycomb cores for light weight and stiffness. Landing gear and control systems are machined from aircraft grade aluminum.

 

2. Where is Song made?

 

Song aircraft are made in the Czech Republic by a highly trained staff of Czech aircraft technicians. The Czech Republic has a long and successful history in the manufacture of light aircraft. An excellent description of the history and capabilities of the Czech Republic light aircraft industry is available here: https://www.czechaviation.info/index.htm

 

3. Is Song an airplane or motorglider?

 

The Song is registered in Canada as a powered aircraft in the Basic Ultralight category. It requires a valid Ultralight Pilot Permit, Recreational Pilot Permit, Private Pilot License or higher fixed wing license to fly. The Song cannot be operated in Canada on a Glider License.

 

In the US the Song can be recognized under FAA Part 103 regulations as a 'powered ultralight vehicle'. As such it does not require any license or medical to fly. Alternately, the Song could be registered in the US under an 'Experimental' classification and the appropriate licensing requirements would be determined by the FAA at that time.

 

4. What training should I have before I fly the Song?

 

Song is a 'real airplane' with characteristics of both a powered aircraft and a glider. Song is not intended to to be an aircraft to learn how to fly on. It necessary that pilots have appropriate training before attempting flight in the Song aircraft. Flight training in both powered and glider aircraft , at least up to the stage of 'solo', is strongly recommended. Flight experience in a high performance motorglider (e.g. Grob 109) or 'fast glass' airplane (eg. Diamand DA20) will be beneficial.

 

5. What are the flight characteristics of the Song?

 

Song flies normally in all flight modes. It has powerful rudders and elevators that give effective control, especially at low speed approaching to land. Ailerons are effective, but not quick; much like a glider. The cockpit is close, but not cramped, with excellent visibility both above and below. Song excels at low speed flight and cruises comfortably at 45-60 knots depending upon engine/propeller combination. Song has a distinct stall that is quickly recovered in the normal manner. Song is not approved for spins, however incipient spin entry is recovered in the normal manner.

 

Normal take off is achieved by pulling back on the stick to lessen the weight on the nose wheel then easing the stick forward to keep light weight on the wheel until the airplane flies itself off the ground. Push forward slightly to accelerate in ground effect and then ease back to climb in a nearly level attitude. Cruise is achieved by throttling back and lowering the nose slightly. Flying the aircraft by attitude is easy and effective due to the excellent visibility, much like a glider. The airframe is very low drag, and can gain speed quickly if put into a dive. For Song equipped with spoilers, the approach to landing is in a flat attitude and can be controlled very precisely by leaving the engine at idle and extending or retracting the spoilers. For Song equipped with flaps, the normal power plane technique of extending flaps and controlling glide slope with power is used. Touchdown is cushioned by ground effect and occurs at very low speed.

 

4. How long does it take to get a Song airplane?

 

Song airplanes are made to order at the factory in Czech Republic on a 'first come – first served' basis. Production time for an aircraft is approximately 4 weeks. You may reserve a particular production date with a deposit. Delivery time to North America by shipping container takes 3 to 6 weeks, depending upon schedules and destination. A firm estimate of delivery times can be made at the time of order placement.

 

5. How do I purchase a Song?

 

A specific production date for your Song can be reserved with a 10% Deposit. This will establish the date on which the production of your aircraft will start. Immediately prior to this production start date a second deposit of 50% will be required. A final payment of 40% is required once the aircraft is completed and ready for shipment.

 

The price for your Song will be determined at the time of the initial deposit. This will be based on the current exchange rate with the EURO at that time. Orders are to be placed with Melody Aircraft Ltd. for North American based shipments. Shipping costs will be determined at the time of shipment and will be payable to the transportation company, although estimates can be obtained in advance. Taxes, fees, brokerage charges and duty (if applicable) are the responsibility of the purchaser.

 

6. The Song looks very similar to the ElectraFlyer ULS produced by Electric Aircraft Corporation of Cliffside Park, NJ. What are the differences?

 

Both aircraft are made from the same molds in the same factory by the company Airsport s.r.o. in Czech Republic;. The structural design and performance specifications are the same for both aircraft.

 

In 2008 and 2009 the original Song airplane was designed and built by aeronautical engineer Marek Ivanov in the Czech Republic. A video of this original design of the Song flying is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akRpW6UQwTw Notice that this original version of the Song had an inverted V tail and 'cranked' wings.

 

In 2010 Song was redesigned into its current configuration of a twin-tailed pusher aircraft with straight elliptical wings. The production of this airplane was undertaken by Airsport s.r.o. (which is associated with the company Gramex spol. sro. in Zbraslavice, Czech Republic). Certification of this airplane to the Czech UL2-1 Standard was received in 2013.

 

In 2012 the Electric Aircraft Company contracted with Airsport sro for a particular configuration of the redesigned Song airplane which would permit the placement of batteries in the space allocated for wing mounted fuel tanks. The Electric Aircraft Company acquired world wide exclusive rights to this particular configuration of airframe for a limited period of time and under certain conditions. The original term of this contract expires in 2015.

 

Melody Aircraft Ltd. became the exclusive distributor for all Song aircraft in Canada in April 2013, and non-exclusive distributor for gasoline powered Song aircraft in USA in April 2014. This arrangement was based upon the fact that Electric Aircraft Corporation was not promoting the gasoline powered versions of this aircraft within the US.

 

To resolve certain technical issues related to the slow speed flight characteristics of the Song, Melody Aircraft has worked in conjunction with the factory to introduce a model of Song with flaps that is strictly in compliance with the FAA Part 103 regulations for sale in the USA. This aircraft is available in the US beginning January 2015 with gasoline power and later in the year with electric power.

 

Melody Aircraft is working with leading experts in the field of aircraft electrical power systems to bring a completely legal, FAA Part 103 electric powered ultralight to the US market by the summer of 2014. No aspect of this Part 103 Ultralight will be in contravention of the agreements between Electric Aircraft Corporation and Airsport sro. You can be assured that your Song aircraft from Melody Aircraft Ltd. is legal, best value and fully supported by the factory and suppliers.