MACFAM SA 102.5 CAVALIER

The prototype SA 102.5 Cavalier was being reworked and refurbished in an effort to reduce empty weight from the original 477 kg (1,051 lb) to 408 kg (900 lb). Fitted with a Teledyne Continental O-200 engine and a new wooden propeller, it was anticipated that a true air speed of 139 knots (257 km/h; 160 mph) could be achieved at 2,450 rpm, at a maximum weight of about 658-680 kg (1,450-1,500 lb). This prototype was also to receive a front hinged ‘swing up’ windshield and canopy with a composites frame and new wing flaps. The flaps were expected to offer up to a 15 per cent increase in cruising speed. Both these innovations are shown on plans.

TYPE: Side-by-side two-seat homebuilt.

AIRFRAME: All-wood airframe except for Dacron covered outer wing panels, rear top decking and tail unit, plus glassfibre cockpit canopy frame and doors. Wing section NACA 23015 at root, NACA 23012 at tip. Non-retractable tricycle landing gear, with optional floats or skis.

POWER PLANT: Wide choice of four-cylinder engines, including 63.5, 67 or 74.5 kW (85, 90 or 100 hp) Teledyne Continental, 93-97 kW (125-130 hp) Franklin Sport 4A, 80.5 or 86 kW (108 or 115 hp) Textron Lycoming O-235, or 93 or 101 kW (125 or 135 hp) Textron Lycoming O-290. Wingtip fuel tanks, total capacity 151 litres (40 US gallons; 33.5 Imp gallons).

DIMENSIONS, EXTERNAL:

  • Wing span over tip tanks: 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in)
  • Length overall: 6.71 m (22 ft 0 in)
  • Height overall: 2.23 m (7 ft 4 in)

AREA:

  • Wings, gross: 10.87 m² (117.0 sq ft)

WEIGHTS:

  • Basic operating weight empty: 408 kg (900 lb)
  • Baggage weight: 56 kg (125 lb)
  • Max T-O weight: 680 kg (1,500 lb)

PERFORMANCE (at max T-O weight, 93 kW; 125 hp Textron Lycoming engine):

  • Max level speed at 2,135 m (7,000 ft): 160 knots (297 km/h; 185 mph)
  • Econ cruising speed: 134 knots (249 km/h; 155 mph)
  • Stalling speed:
    • flaps up: 44 knots (81 km/h; 50 mph) IAS
    • flaps down: 35 knots (65 km h; 40 mph) IAS
  • Max rate of climb at S/L: over 518 m (1,700 ft)/min
  • Service ceiling: 4,875 m (16,000 ft)
  • T-O run: 107 m (350 ft)
  • Landing run: 183 m (600 ft)
  • Max range, no reserves: 720 nm (1,335 km; 830 miles)