SMYTH "SIDEWINDER" - Plane + Pilot

SMYTH “SIDEWINDER”

Plane & Pilot

Friday, April 16, 2010 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: Omar Filipović

Key Takeaways:

The Sidewinder is a two-seater aircraft boasting impressive performance, including a top speed of 185 mph, a cruise speed of 160 mph, and a ceiling of 15,000 feet.
Its construction is simplified by integrating standard components from other aircraft, such as a Thorp T-18 canopy and Wittman landing gear.
The aircraft features all-metal wings and a steel-tube fuselage, both covered with aluminum skin, and can accommodate engines ranging from 65 to 125 hp.

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STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,450. Empty wt. 867. Fuel capacity 17. Wingspan 24’10”. Length 19’4″. Engine 125-hp Lycoming.
PERFORMANCE: Top mph 185. Cruise mph 160. Stall mph 55. Climb rate 900. Ceiling 15,000. Takeoff run 800. Landing roll 1,500. Range 425.

In order to simplify construction of the Sidewinder, several standard components are borrowed from other established aircraft. The bubble canopy is from a Thorp T-18. The landing gear is taken from a Wittman. This fully enclosed two-seater has all-metal wings with aluminum skin and an all-metal steel-tube fuselage also covered with aluminum skin. Though the prototype was fitted with a 125-hp powerplant, engines from 65 to 125 hp can be used.