Italian ultralight aircraft
The Flyitalia MD3 Rider is an Italian ultralight and light-sport aircraft that was designed by Jaro Drostal in the Czech Republic and produced by Flyitalia of Dovera, Italy. The aircraft was supplied by Flyitalia complete and ready-to-fly.[1][2]
The company went out of business and production ended in 2011, but production was resumed by a new company, Next Aircraft of Rivanazzano in 2013, who supply it ready-to-fly.[2][3]
Design and development
The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules and US light-sport aircraft rules. It features a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[1][2]
The aircraft is made with riveted and bonded aluminum sheet semi-monocoque construction, with a welded steel cockpit cage. The engine cowling and fairings are made from composites, with the cockpit doors fashioned from carbon-fibre. Its 8.5 m (27.9 ft) span wing has an area of 9.5 m2 (102 sq ft), electrically-operated flaps, electric elevator trim and integral fuel tanks. The cockpit is 117 cm (46 in) wide. A folding wing for storage and ground transport was a factory option. The standard engines factory supplied are the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL and the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS four-stroke powerplant.[1][2]
The MD3 has a gross weight of 472.5 kg (1,042 lb) for the European microlight class and 520 kg (1,146 lb) for the US LSA category.[1][2]
A float version was under consideration in 2015.[2]
