Blackshape’s full carbon fibre aircraft set to take to Canadian skies
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Two-seat Blackshape CF300 Prime features full carbon fibre frame and cockpit, 1,700-kilometre range
MONTREAL—An Italian firm says its carbon fibre is ready to take to Canada’s skies after receiving federal approval.
Blackshape SpA says its CF300 Prime two-seat ultra-light aircraft features a carbon fibre frame and cockpit, and was approved by Transport Canada for its Advanced Ultralight Aircraft (AULA) class of aircraft.
The plane sports a 100-horsepower Rotax 912 ULS engine, and weighs 654 lbs. when empty, with a max gross weight of 1042 lbs.
All that contributes to a cruising speed of 275 km/h—45 km/h faster than the maximum cruising speed of a Cessna Skyhawk—and a range of 1,100 kilometres.
Drop down to economy mode, and Blackshape says the range extends to 1,700 kilometres at 225 km/h.
The lightweight Prime only needs a strip of 150 metres for takeoff and landing, and features standard retractable landing gear.
It also features a variable pitch propeller, autopilot, survival cell and ballistic parachute, as well as a full suite of digital instrumentation.
Blackshape said it is also in the process of certifying a 115-horsepower version of the Prime that features higher weight allowances with Transport Canada.
The Prime has a starting price of $269,000.
