Pipistrel announced on Wednesday it has completed all the spin testing required for Part 23 certification of Panthera, its four-place retractable airplane. “Panthera behaves just as expected in all configuration settings that CS-23 and FAR-23 design codes mandate,” the company said in a statement. CEO Ivo Boscarol added that the testing showed no need for any modifications to the airframe or any of the aircraft systems. “Even after a full 10-turn spin, Panthera recovers in less than one additional turn by just releasing all controls,” Boscarol said. While the testing goes on in Slovenia, Pipistrel also has a presence at EAA AirVenture this week, with several aircraft on display, including a Sinus Flex, a Virus SW, and an Alpha trainer.
Panthera will go on the market by the end of this year as a factory-assist quick-build kit experimental aircraft, the company said. The certified version, with a Lycoming IO-540 engine, will be next on the market. The company also is developing Panthera versions with hybrid powerplants and a pure electric motor. Those will fly for the first time next year. AVweb’s Paul Bertorelli recently visited the factory in Slovenia and flew the test airplane for the certified version of Panthera. Click here to see his full video flight report.
