A new Iranian-built twin-engine light aircraft was unveiled Monday in the presence of Defense Minister IRGC Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the unveiling ceremony, the minister said that the Faez (victor) aircraft was the result of work performed by engineers from the ministry and Fajr Aviation & Composites Industry.
The ceremony was held on the occasion of the 31st victory anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.
The 175-kilogram aircraft, constructed largely from composite materials, has a claimed range of 1,500 km (three hours) with a maximum speed of 240 km per hour.
It is further claimed to be capable of landing both on land and sea (presumably with floats attached), carrying various logistic, medical and postal payloads.
Faez has successfully passed all test flights, said the minister, adding that the aircraft has the ability to be upgraded from a single-person to a double-person aircraft.
Photos courtesy Fars News Agency.
Mr. Pyruz,
ReplyDeleteThis "Faez" aircraft is nothing but the home-built French design called "Cri-Cri" (Cricket).
It has been around since early 1970s and is often used for promotional purposes at air shows, where it is usually launched from the roof of a moving car to help it gain the necessary take-off speed.
Here is the manufacturer's website with lots of photos and product specs: http://flight.cz/cricri/english/
Based on the specs quoted by your report, the "Faez" is the Model MC-12 Cricket (almost identical MTOW and max. speeds). In this case, the claimed range of 1,500 km seems a massive exaggeration, since the French manufacturers claim a range of only 500 km!
The very low power of the engines (15hp each) makes the claim of a waterborne version also dubious, given the extra drag and mass of any floats. The same goes for a two-seat version that the minister mentions. After all, this used to be billed at the world's lightest twin aircraft, and there is not much that you can add to it at the MTOW of only 175 kg (which includes the pilot, fuel, etc.)
Even two 70-kg pilots weigh 140 kg, which leaves only 35 kg for the aircraft itself plus fuel!!
WOW! Look at all the regime dignitaries brought in to watch the wheeling out of a 40-year old French kitplane! I guess the IRGC must show something for all the money it syphons off the state coffers.
ReplyDeleteI guess the one posting as, "This is the French 'Cri-Cri aircraft' seemed to ignore that the advancement here is the construction of the plane using composite materials. Materials that didn't exist when the Cri-Cri was first introduced.
ReplyDeleteThe importance of this is that Iran is able to make aircraft out of materials that are lighter, and stronger than it's metal counterparts. For all we know, future military aircraft like UAVs, and even fighter jets could be constructed out of this.
The comment brought forth by the first,and second poster is clearly an attempt to belittle the progress made by other countries that are not "Western", but that's typical of ignorant people.
I spoke to the Cri-Cri designer about building it in Carbon. He doubt that this will make the Cri-Cri lighter.
ReplyDeleteSo it is an old heat and I belief the report is rather a joke than ment to be taken seriouse.
What an embarrassment.
ReplyDeletethe cri-cri had 2 single cylinder engines, this has 2 twin cylinder engines. so it could have much more power than the old design.
ReplyDelete