PIPISTREL PANTHERA
African Pilot|March 2024
My first encounter with the Pipistrel Panthera was when visited AERO Friedrichshafen about four years ago where the first prototype was on display. Whilst admiring the sleek shape of the Panthera, my thoughts were that this aircraft is fast very fast, even whilst it was standing on its undercarriage legs on display.
PIPISTREL PANTHERA

The good folks at Pipistrel allowed me to climb into and settle down in the left front seat so that I could obtain an idea about how this unique ‘sports car like’ amazing high-performance single engine cruiser would fly.

Unique four-seat cruiser with an attractive design and efficient  performance

Imagine an aircraft that can fully take advantage of small, short-runway airfields that bring you closer than ever to your destination or fly around the world and open a whole new world of opportunities. Panthera is an airplane that is carefully designed to keep you safe, comfortable, being at the same time quiet and friendly to the environment. It is an innovative airplane, which instantly catches attention. Panthera has been designed from the very beginning to be available with either electric engine, hybrid propulsion or petrol engine. In this case, Pipistrel decided for Mogas fuel due to lower price and availability in several parts of the world when compared to Avgas. (Utilising the Lycoming IO-540V-V4A5 engine for both Mogas or Avgas consumption).

Innovation 

Panthera is designed by applying the most modern design and construction techniques, on top of 30 years of knowledge, experience and excellence in building aircraft. Panthera’s organic curves are a product of optimisation through advanced, in-house developed computer tools, where each detail is designed to ensure minimum drag and maximum efficiency.

This story is from the March 2024 edition of African Pilot.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2024 edition of African Pilot.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM AFRICAN PILOTView All
An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration
African Pilot

An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration

Witnessing the helicopter formation for the Presidential Inauguration in Pretoria on 18 June 2024 was an incredibly unique and exhilarating experience, an opportunity that does not come around very often.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Jabiru South Africa
African Pilot

Jabiru South Africa

Ask the aviation industry about Jabiru aircraft and you will find that they have an excellent reputation.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2024
EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024
African Pilot

EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024

The Experimental Aviation association (EAA) has a long history of engendering the passion for flying amongst its members as well as the youth of the world. EAA is a worldwide organisation with its most well-known event being the annual gathering in Oshkosh for a week of aviation as the largest aviation event in the world at the end of July each year.

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Bat Hawk Aircraft
African Pilot

Bat Hawk Aircraft

Based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, Micro Aviation SA (SACAA M-628) is the manufacturer of the most affordable Rotax 912 ULS powered light sport aircraft in the world.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR
African Pilot

FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR

The FK9 Mk VI has just landed in South Africa.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy
African Pilot

Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy

Sun City is going to great heights in its bid to one day take the resort completely off the grid. With all available space on the roof of Sun Central now covered by solar panels, the resort lifted its sights to the roof at The Palace and the Sun City hotel.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2024
Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police
African Pilot

Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police

The Kingdom of Belgium will procure 15 multi-role H145M helicopters for the army and two helicopters plus three options for the Federal Police. The contract was signed between the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), on behalf of Belgium and Airbus Helicopters.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!
African Pilot

Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!

On Sunday 16 June Christine and I returned from attending the Maputo airshow and what a fantastic experience this was not only for estimated 15 000 spectators, but also the members of the media present. As always Brian Emmenis and his team were on top form with a great selection of music. The grand finale with the Puma Energy Flying Lions T6 Harvards was simply beautiful and I saw several spectators with tears in their eyes as they expressed their happiness for the airshow.

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
Single-pilot operations and lemon juice
African Pilot

Single-pilot operations and lemon juice

Psychology researchers have found that some of the dumbest criminals and the cockiest pilots may have something in common: a hazardous cognitive bias, the Dunning–Kruger effect that hinders self-perception, clouds judgment and leads individuals to overestimate their ability. However, new psychological discoveries may provide a cure.

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks
African Pilot

ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks

JOHANNESBURG - ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, is poised to set a new record this year for airframe heavy maintenance checks. The company's previous annual record was seven, but this year it will complete at least 11 thanks to additional work on Dassault Falcon aircraft.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024