VIPER SD4: JEWEL OF THE SKY

Author: Dr. GEMA GOEYARDI,ATP | Gold Seal CFI/I/MEI
Chief CFI
August 02, 2018
Source Picture : Freepik/EyeEm

Viper SD4 is an all-metal two-seater microlight/LSA aeroplane, ideal for sports, entertainment, and recreational flying. Viper is a great means for touring, pilot training, and glider towing. Rich equipment includes – electric flaps, electric trim (elevator, aileron), autopilot, ballistic recovery system (AEPS). The Viper SD4 has been certified by EASA and is even a great choice for Air Force pilot training. The Viper SD4 is a single engine monoplane built by the Slovak company Tomark. There are 2 variants, which are: ultralight vehicle (UL), or light-sport aircraft (LSA). Light-sport aircrafts are very popular, due to their stable and maneuverability capabilities.

What is the Viper SD4?

Viper SD4 is an all-metal two-seater microlight/LSA aeroplane, ideal for sports, entertainment, and recreational flying.  Viper is a great means for touring, pilot training, and glider towing.  Rich equipment includes – electric flaps, electric trim (elevator, aileron), autopilot, ballistic recovery system (AEPS).  The Viper SD4 has been certified by EASA and is even a great choice for Air Force pilot training.  The Viper SD4 is a single engine monoplane built by the Slovak company Tomark.  There are 2 variants, which are: ultralight vehicle (UL), or light-sport aircraft (LSA).  Light-sport aircrafts are very popular, due to their stable and maneuverability capabilities.

 

Price and users

Rotax 912 iS, 100 HP: US$ 139 900
Rotax 914 Turbo, 115 HP: US$ 159 900
Rotax 912 ULS100HP: US$ 124 900

 

Viper targets its users to be aviation enthusiasts, aircraft owners, flight schools, and Air Force pilot training.  Since the aircraft is very easy to fly (because it is a light-sport aircraft), just about anybody can fly it, from student pilots even up to commercial airline pilots.  Even if a 0 hour pilot flies this aircraft it will take very little time to get used to the controls since it is very easy to control.

Technical information and avionics

 

Category

 

UL

LSA

Wing span

8,4 m

/27 ft 4 in

 

Length

 

6,4 m

/21 ft

Height

 

2,2 m

/7 ft 3 in

Engine 4-stroke Rotax 912            HP

 

UL 80 HP/ULS 100

ULS 100 HP

Maximum take-off weight incl. BRS

 

472,5 kg  /  1 041 lbs

600 kg  /   1 320 lbs

 

Cruising speed

200 km/h  /  108 kts

 

Never exceed speed

240 km/h  /   130 kts

 

Stall speed

65 km/h  /  35 kts

75 km/h  /  40 kts

 

Climb rate

6 m/s  /  1 181 ft/min

5 m/s  /  984 ft/min

 

Ceiling

5 000 m  /  16 400 ft

 

Take-off distance

 

150 m  /  492 ft

180 m  /  590 ft

Landing distance

140 m  /  459 ft

160 m  /  524 ft

 

Fuel tank volume

 

70 l  /  18 US gal / 108.2 lbs

100 l  /  26 US gal / 158.8 lbs

 

Range

750 km  /  405 nmi

1 100 km  /  594 nmi

 

The latest avionic technologies - wide utility options, excellent quality properties and a first-class design.  Top flight characteristics will be appreciated by not only experienced pilots, but also by training centres (flight schools), their flight instructors as well as beginner pilots.

 

Review of the Viper SD4 by Capt Gema Goeyardi

 

The chief pilot of 14DAYPILOT Flight Academy, Capt Gema Goeyardi had a chance to fly the Viper SD4 during the 2017 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.  He did the test flight at Appleton Airport (KATW), and enjoyed his experience flying the aircraft.  According to him the aircraft is one the most comfortable in its class.  The flight characteristic is described as being very controllable (easy to control) and not too sensitive to handle.  He even tested the aircraft up to the speed of 120 knots, close to the never exceed speed.

The Viper SD4 has characteristics very similar with the Diamond DA20, because it has very accurate stability.  When maneuvering with the Viper SD4, increasing bank during steep turns from 45 degrees to 60 degrees is very easy to control, that rudder correction input is very minimal.  This is because the airplane is very stable and easy to control.

However, there are several things that Capt Gema found could be improved in the Viper SD4.  One of the things that Capt Gema didn’t like was that the braking was achieved by a handle that needs to be operated by hand.  This may be frustrating for some pilots, because most planes achieve braking by using the rudder pedals (by foot).  So, to be proficient in flying the Viper SD4 the pilot may need some time to get used to it.  To overcome this issue, customers may request to the manufacturer to customize the layout of the avionic and  braking system.

VIPER SD4: JEWEL OF THE SKY

Source Picture : Freepik/EyeEm
Viper SD4 is an all-metal two-seater microlight/LSA aeroplane, ideal for sports, entertainment, and recreational flying. Viper is a great means for touring, pilot training, and glider towing. Rich equipment includes – electric flaps, electric trim (elevator, aileron), autopilot, ballistic recovery system (AEPS). The Viper SD4 has been certified by EASA and is even a great choice for Air Force pilot training. The Viper SD4 is a single engine monoplane built by the Slovak company Tomark. There are 2 variants, which are: ultralight vehicle (UL), or light-sport aircraft (LSA). Light-sport aircrafts are very popular, due to their stable and maneuverability capabilities.

What is the Viper SD4?

Viper SD4 is an all-metal two-seater microlight/LSA aeroplane, ideal for sports, entertainment, and recreational flying.  Viper is a great means for touring, pilot training, and glider towing.  Rich equipment includes – electric flaps, electric trim (elevator, aileron), autopilot, ballistic recovery system (AEPS).  The Viper SD4 has been certified by EASA and is even a great choice for Air Force pilot training.  The Viper SD4 is a single engine monoplane built by the Slovak company Tomark.  There are 2 variants, which are: ultralight vehicle (UL), or light-sport aircraft (LSA).  Light-sport aircrafts are very popular, due to their stable and maneuverability capabilities.

 

Price and users

Rotax 912 iS, 100 HP: US$ 139 900
Rotax 914 Turbo, 115 HP: US$ 159 900
Rotax 912 ULS100HP: US$ 124 900

 

Viper targets its users to be aviation enthusiasts, aircraft owners, flight schools, and Air Force pilot training.  Since the aircraft is very easy to fly (because it is a light-sport aircraft), just about anybody can fly it, from student pilots even up to commercial airline pilots.  Even if a 0 hour pilot flies this aircraft it will take very little time to get used to the controls since it is very easy to control.

Technical information and avionics

 

Category

 

UL

LSA

Wing span

8,4 m

/27 ft 4 in

 

Length

 

6,4 m

/21 ft

Height

 

2,2 m

/7 ft 3 in

Engine 4-stroke Rotax 912            HP

 

UL 80 HP/ULS 100

ULS 100 HP

Maximum take-off weight incl. BRS

 

472,5 kg  /  1 041 lbs

600 kg  /   1 320 lbs

 

Cruising speed

200 km/h  /  108 kts

 

Never exceed speed

240 km/h  /   130 kts

 

Stall speed

65 km/h  /  35 kts

75 km/h  /  40 kts

 

Climb rate

6 m/s  /  1 181 ft/min

5 m/s  /  984 ft/min

 

Ceiling

5 000 m  /  16 400 ft

 

Take-off distance

 

150 m  /  492 ft

180 m  /  590 ft

Landing distance

140 m  /  459 ft

160 m  /  524 ft

 

Fuel tank volume

 

70 l  /  18 US gal / 108.2 lbs

100 l  /  26 US gal / 158.8 lbs

 

Range

750 km  /  405 nmi

1 100 km  /  594 nmi

 

The latest avionic technologies - wide utility options, excellent quality properties and a first-class design.  Top flight characteristics will be appreciated by not only experienced pilots, but also by training centres (flight schools), their flight instructors as well as beginner pilots.

 

Review of the Viper SD4 by Capt Gema Goeyardi

 

The chief pilot of 14DAYPILOT Flight Academy, Capt Gema Goeyardi had a chance to fly the Viper SD4 during the 2017 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.  He did the test flight at Appleton Airport (KATW), and enjoyed his experience flying the aircraft.  According to him the aircraft is one the most comfortable in its class.  The flight characteristic is described as being very controllable (easy to control) and not too sensitive to handle.  He even tested the aircraft up to the speed of 120 knots, close to the never exceed speed.

The Viper SD4 has characteristics very similar with the Diamond DA20, because it has very accurate stability.  When maneuvering with the Viper SD4, increasing bank during steep turns from 45 degrees to 60 degrees is very easy to control, that rudder correction input is very minimal.  This is because the airplane is very stable and easy to control.

However, there are several things that Capt Gema found could be improved in the Viper SD4.  One of the things that Capt Gema didn’t like was that the braking was achieved by a handle that needs to be operated by hand.  This may be frustrating for some pilots, because most planes achieve braking by using the rudder pedals (by foot).  So, to be proficient in flying the Viper SD4 the pilot may need some time to get used to it.  To overcome this issue, customers may request to the manufacturer to customize the layout of the avionic and  braking system.


VIPER SD4: JEWEL OF THE SKY
Dr. GEMA GOEYARDI,ATP
Chief CFI
gemagoeyardi@14daypilot.com

Dr.Gema Goeyardi as a Gold Seal flight instructor will help you to achieve your dream as a pilot in a fast track accelerated program. His secret recipe of accelerated flight training syllabus has proven to graduate pilots from Private Pilot to ATP world wide in just very short days. As an ATP and Boeing 737 captain he always set a high standard of training and encouraged all students to have a professional pilot qualification standard. Lets talk with Dr.Gema for your training program plan, schedule your check ride, and customize your flexible training journey.

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VIPER SD4: JEWEL OF THE SKY
Dr. GEMA GOEYARDI,ATP
Chief CFI
gemagoeyardi@14daypilot.com

Dr.Gema Goeyardi as a Gold Seal flight instructor will help you to achieve your dream as a pilot in a fast track accelerated program. His secret recipe of accelerated flight training syllabus has proven to graduate pilots from Private Pilot to ATP world wide in just very short days. As an ATP and Boeing 737 captain he always set a high standard of training and encouraged all students to have a professional pilot qualification standard. Lets talk with Dr.Gema for your training program plan, schedule your check ride, and customize your flexible training journey.

Share article:

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VIPER SD4: JEWEL OF THE SKY
Dr. GEMA GOEYARDI,ATP
Gold Seal CFI/I/MEI
Chief CFI

Dr.Gema Goeyardi as a Gold Seal flight instructor will help you to achieve your dream as a pilot in a fast track accelerated program. His secret recipe of accelerated flight training syllabus has proven to graduate pilots from Private Pilot to ATP world wide in just very short days. As an ATP and Boeing 737 captain he always set a high standard of training and encouraged all students to have a professional pilot qualification standard. Lets talk with Dr.Gema for your training program plan, schedule your check ride, and customize your flexible training journey.

Share article: