Urbanair Lambada

[kestrel539]

To save me going over old ground, has anybody tried to get an Urbanair Lambada certified in the UK?
At first look, they seem to meet the Redhill definition of a motor glider, but in Spain, France and Southern Ireland they seem to be microlights.
Neither the BGA or the BMAA have any on their books, nor can I find any on G-INFO.
So, am I breaking new ground, or has anybody else tried, and given up in frustration?
Many thanks.

[Genghis the Engineer]

It was tried between 2002-2004 years ago, by a group including Gordon Pill who used to run Thruster Air Services when they were at Ginge. It failed, primarily because the Urban Air engineers (most Cz based) just weren't prepared to provide the quality of airworthiness reports that the UK needed. They were looking at both the Samba and Lambada at the same time I think, but led things with the Lambada through BMAA.

I flew one once from an airfield in Cz that year, but my logbook just says "sortie abandoned due to low cloud" and I don't think I got much out of the 10 minutes airborne. I did an evaluation of the Samba for BMAA the same year, but any records of that will be in an archive at Deddington somewhere; I don't have anything myself.

I have limited time, but all the right skills - shout if you are planning to do this seriously and need some expert help; I enjoy doing the really difficult bits of a project like that.

G

[LH2]

It was tried between 2002-2004 years ago

I guess the technology wasn't good enough in those days? :}

Please forgive me for the childiness--couldn't resist. :p

[kestrel539]

Thanks Genghis.
Any reason why they went down the BMAA route; I was thinking of going down the BGA SLMG path.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I guess the technology wasn't good enough in those days? :}

Please forgive me for the childiness--couldn't resist. :p

The perils of changing syntax mid-composition! :\

Thanks Genghis.
Any reason why they went down the BMAA route; I was thinking of going down the BGA SLMG path.

BGA hasn't got a working system for oversight of amateur constructed aeroplanes, and the factory aren't approved for building CofA motorgliders. So I don't *think* that route is open to you.

BMAA has a working amateur built-approval system, similar to LAAs, and about as active. They also had prior knowledge of SLMG-like aeroplanes in the Chevvron 2-32c. Also, the aeroplane has a weight and stall speed that make it a microlight. LAA would also be open, but personally I believed then, and believe now, that for microlights, and particularly for "factory kits" BMAA offers the better system.

G

[kestrel539]

OK, thanks G.
I may well be in touch.
Cheers

[XV255]

Just seen one of these for sale in Ireland. Would be interested if it got Laa permit. Don't see any on g-info. Any reason why not?

[irish seaplane]

None of the Urban Air range ever made it to the UK reg. The Lambada, Samba and Samba XXL. They are a good product. There was lots and lots of them sold here in Ireland by Ultraflight in EIAB. Matthew Tormey is man to ask, he was the man who imported them all....

[rotorfossil]

I did a flight test for a magazine with one of Mathews' aircraft. It was a nice enough aircraft with good handling, comfortable cockpit and efficient in the cruise. Unfortunately, like so many micro lights, the empty weight from memory of 265kg was only achieved with a stripped out cockpit. By the time a reasonable instrument/radio fit was put in, full fuel could only be carried solo. With two up, you were severely restricted on fueL
I believe Mathew intended to go for UK certification, but the hassle factor put him off.