Iranian company develops all-composite, ultra-light plane

An Iranian private aviation research and development firm has designed and built an all-composite, ultra-light aircraft, which will cater to the country's training, border control, surveillance and recreational needs.

''Free Bird, the third ever such aircraft produced in the world in the light-sport aircraft (LSA) category, is a two-seat light plane with a gross take-off weight of 600 kilogrammes,'' Yaghoub Entesari, managing director of HF Dorna Company, informed media persons on Monday.

According to Entesari, the Free Bird's full composite structure conforms to the technical standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and falls under the micro-light category under Iranian law.

Free Bird has a range of 900 kilometres, non-stop, and a cruising altitude of 12,000 feet (3.65 kilometres). The aircraft also has a maximum speed in level flight of 250-300 km/h.

Entesari said the Free Bird enjoyed good flight handling thanks to its shape, weight and avionics equipment. Its cockpit design also provides a good view and ample space for the pilot and co-pilot.

Established in Tehran in 1988, HF Dorna Company is a private company specializing in design and manufacture of light-sport aircraft.

The company has received the DOA (Design Organization Approval) certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and Type Certificate (TC) from the Federal Aviation Administration.