About Falco
The Sequoia F.8L Falco is an Italian-designed lightweight 2-seater aerobatic aircraft.
It was designed by the renowned Italian designer Stelio Frati in 1955, and originally built in Italy by Aeromere (later Laverda) for sale.
The Falco is currently sold in kit or plans form for amateur construction by the Sequoia Aircraft Company of Richmond, Virginia. The aircraft is single-engined, propeller driven and designed for private and general aviation use.
The design was adopted in the US in the 1980s and converted to kit form. The aircraft is widely considered to be one of the best handling, strongest, and most aesthetically pleasing designs ever made available to home builders.
Performance includes a 175 knot cruise speed and 6g aerobatic capability.
The Sequoia Falco F8L is constructed of spruce and typically Finnish birch plywood. The structure is built from laminated spruce bulkheads and the birch plywood is used for the skin. The plywood is often softened with hot steam, formed over the various structures and glued in place.
General characteristics
· Crew: 2
· Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
· Wingspan: 8.0 m (26 ft 3 in)
· Height: 2.27 m (7 ft 6 in)
· Wing area: 10.0 m² (107.5 sq ft)
· Airfoil: NACA 64213
· Aspect ratio: 6.4
· Empty weight: 550 kg (1,212 lb)
· Max. takeoff weight: 820 kg (1,808 lb)
· Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320-B3B air-cooled flat-four, 119 kW (160 hp)
Performance
· Never exceed speed: 385 km/h (209 knots, 240 mph)
· Maximum speed: 325 km/h (176 knots, 202 mph) at sea level
· Cruise speed: 250 km/h (135 knots, 155 mph) (econ. cruise)
· Stall speed: 98 km/h (53 knots, 61 mph) (30 degree flaps)
· Range: 1,400 km (757 nmi, 870 mi)
· Service ceiling: 6,000 m (19,700 ft)
· Rate of climb: 5.0 m/s (984 ft/min)
The above information is based on a Wikipedia entry.