Spotting Dossier – Apollo Racer GT microlight, 9A-UPM (Lučko 24.05.2009)

Posted in General Aviation

By Boran Pivčić
All photos author

Had the great fortune of running into this sweet little thing at Lučko today. Owned by a member of the aeroclub, it was in town for a visit and parked at our apron – so I couldn’t resist going in for a couple of photos :). Though I must admit that my knowledge of ultra- and microlights has always been sketchy at best, this thing got me interested in the whole deal. An open cockpit, a Rotax banging away behind you, a couple hundred meters above ground… that pretty much shares first place with gliders for the true spirit of flight.

A full-option Apollo Racer GT, 9A-UPM (the U prefix being for ultralights) is a bit more serious than other similar microlights. Equipped with full nav lights, wingtip strobes and twin landing lights – not to mention a comprehensive panel with almost more instruments than the Cessna 150 I got my wings on – UPM costs about €17.000, which is not all that cheap (though I am thinking of selling my €18.000 car now 🙂 ), but you do get a lot of microlight for the money. The only thing missing is a transponder, but I believe that can be arranged as well…

Mr. M firing up UPM for an afternoon flight. I think these are the C-17 model wings (a number of them are on offer)
Mr. M firing up UPM for an afternoon flight. I think these are the C-17 model wings (a number of them are on offer)
Closeup of the... fuselage. In a nice - and easily visible - yellow scheme, UPM has the optional windscreen, according to the owner very useful on cold days
Closeup of the... fuselage. In a nice - and easily visible - yellow scheme, UPM has the optional windscreen, according to the owner very useful on cold days
Vertical view just before taxiing out. The manufacturer's webpage states that the Apollo GT can also be equipped with floats
Vertical view just before taxiing out. The manufacturer's webpage states that the Apollo GT can also be equipped with floats
The cockpit. Everything needed is here - including a handheld Garmin GPS MAP 196 as extra. Unlike a number of local microlights, UPM is also equipped with a hand-held radio station, albeit powered by the engine alternator
The cockpit. Everything needed is here - including a handheld Garmin GPS MAP 196 as extra. Unlike a number of local microlights, UPM is also equipped with a hand-held radio station, albeit powered by the engine alternator
The power comes from the 64 HP (a lot!) Rotax 582. Interestingly for an aircraft engine, the 582 is a two-cylinder, two-stroke water-cooled engine - going pretty much against every conventional piston engine design guideline :)
The power comes from the 64 HP (a lot!) Rotax 582. Interestingly for an aircraft engine, the 582 is a two-cylinder, two-stroke water-cooled engine - going pretty much against every conventional piston engine design guideline :). The power is transferred to a (I think) air-adjustable three-blade prop
Rear view. You can see the fuel tank under the fuselage
Rear view. The fuel tank is, unusually, under the fuselage. The engine water cooler can be easily seen here above the engine

One thought on “Spotting Dossier – Apollo Racer GT microlight, 9A-UPM (Lučko 24.05.2009)”

  1. Hey Boran
    Some really nice clear pics of a single seat Rotax 582 powered flexwing. I had the privaledge to fly a two stroke 582 powered Scorcher just after going solo here in the UK. Now I fly one of the sportier Pegasus Quik 4 stroke machines capable of over 100mph. I have a microlight community web site you may be interested in having a look at http://www.microlightwings.com.
    I’d welcome your visit and input. There are some excellent looking microlight aircraft coming out of Croatia particularly in the 3-axis variants and I’d welcome some European thoughts on the world of aviation and microlithting

    Reply

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