The History of SKYLEADER Aircraft
The origins of the SKYLEADER aircraft trace back to the early 1990s, when the first concept of a modern, all-metal, four-seat airplane was developed. This aircraft, designated as the Z90 and its lighter variant, TP41, was intended to replace the existing Z40 series produced by Moravan. The initial study was conducted at the Institute of Aerospace Engineering (IAE) at Brno Technical University. However, due to economic and organizational constraints at the time, the Z90 project was never realized. Despite this, the concept of a modern all-metal aircraft was firmly established.
Years later, an opportunity arose to develop an ultra-light version of the Z90 or TP41. As a member of the professional team at KAPPA 77, a.s., I eagerly embraced the challenge. Most of the team members had previously worked at JIHLAVAN, a leading aerospace company. Their expertise enabled the aircraft’s rapid development, and the prototype was completed just one year after design work began.
From the start, the aircraft’s design criteria were clearly defined. It had to feature a retractable landing gear suitable for unpaved and grass runways. Additionally, excellent aerodynamic performance was essential. To ensure low stall speeds, we integrated Fowler flaps. From a technological perspective, the aircraft was built using ultra-thin duralumin plates joined with blind rivets. It also incorporated integral fuel tanks and other advanced solutions, typically found in higher-class general aviation aircraft. After the maiden flight, it became clear that the aircraft met its projected performance targets.
KP-2U Sova Aircraft
In 1996, the KP-2U SOVA made its public debut at the Jihlava Aerosalon, capturing widespread attention. This event marked the beginning of a new era for ultra-light aircraft, introducing a design capable of exceeding 200 km/h. Notably, the KP-2U SOVA (also known as the RAPID) required no significant modifications from its original prototype. It successfully entered serial production and achieved market success. Of course, factors such as production economics, marketing strategies, and operational conditions played crucial roles in this process.
Next years, the legacy of this development was continue. The SKYLEADER models—SKYLEADER 200, SKYLEADER 400, SKYLEADER 500, and SKYLEADER 600—were manufactured at JIHLAVAN airplanes, s.r.o., in the Czech Republic