Slingsby Firefly

[jonnoboy]

Can anybody shed any light on the aerobatic capabilities of the 130 hp firefly.
I am looking to start some aerobatic training, and a local club i have found uses (i believe)130 hp fireflys , as opposed to the 260 hp ex-military variants.

Any opinions out there, as i would like to learn on an aircraft that is fit for the job ?

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

We used to have a couple on the fleet at Barton, and one is still there now group-owned. They are very capable machines that aerobat well, albeit a bit underpowered. But that's no bad thing for a trainer - teaches energy conservation.

Go for it - you'll learn more in a fixed-pitch lower powered machine than you will in the 'hot ship'. It will give you a much better grounding than a machine with loads of power and and a CSU which takes away the need to worry about over reving the engine.

SSD

[Sir George Cayley]

The LAC Slingsby's were 118hp A models with fixed pitch props so even more demanding in the aerobatic role.

With high aspect ratio wings rolling and flicking was a lethargic affair and the powerful elevator coupled to low power /low penetration made falling out of loops as easy as ....well falling out of loops.

130hp seems wrong; surely the B model was 160 hp and the C 230hp?

Sir George Cayley

[Aerobatic Flyer]

Don't think there is a 130hp version.

I haven't flown the T67A, but have flown aeros in the B (118hp) and C (160hp) and M (200hp) variants.

The B and C models don't have inverted fuel systems, so you're limited to positive G manouvers. Both are pleasant to fly, but the B model climbs slowly (especially with 2 on board), and you'll need to dive to gain speed before all manouvers. The C is significantly better, having a much better climb and a cruising speed that is closer to the entry speed for basic manouvers.

They have quite a slow rate of roll, which I think is a good thing when learning aerobatics. You can fly a passable roll in something like a Pitts just by moving the stick to one side for a couple of seconds. To roll a Slingsby without changing height or heading needs a lot more finesse. However, they suffer from aileron stall if you use full deflection - although I seem to recall that this was more of a problem on the M than on the B or C.

They spin nicely, but on very rare occasions can take longer to recover than expected.

They have superb visibility, but are draughty unless you find one of the later split-canopy models. They are among the easiest aeroplanes to land, which is another benefit when learning aeros; in the early stages you use so much of your mental capacity that you don't need any extra challenges when landing.

I like them. Go and try one - you'll enjoy it!

[jonnoboy]

I will have to check the models (and quoted power figures!) in use at the club, although that won't be enough to deter me by the sounds of things.

Thanks

[yakker]

There is a T67M mkII which is 160hp, with vp prop and inverted fuel/oil systems.

[Aim Far]

I have the M200 version and its a lot of fun for aeros. Rolls a bit slower than the CAP10B but pitch manoeuvres are more fun. I don't think there is a 130hp unless its the oldest A model or something. Bs and Cs were both 160hp I think. If you want to try the highest powered model, Stapleford isn't far from you and they have a M260 they use for aero training.