Alpi Pioneer 300 Explained

The Alpi Pioneer 300 is an Italian ultralight and light-sport aircraft, designed and produced by Alpi Aviation, of Pordenone. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction[1] [2] or as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.

Design and development

The Pioneer 300 was derived from the Asso V Champion and designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules, as well as the US light-sport aircraft rules. It features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, a choice of fixed or retractable tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The fixed landing gear version is intended for the US light-sport aircraft category that does not permit retractable gear on landplanes [2] but it is also common in Europe.

The aircraft is made with a wooden frame, covered with composite skin panels. Its 8.11NaN1 span wing is tapered in planform. Standard engines available are the 1000NaN0 Rotax 912ULS, 141 hp Rotax 915iS and 160 hp Rotax 916 iS.

In the past they were also installed 850NaN0 Jabiru 2200 and 1200NaN0 Jabiru 3300.

Variants

Pioneer 300 Standard
  • Base model, standard engine is the 1000NaN0 Rotax 912ULS.[3]
    Pioneer 300 Hawk
  • Model with upgraded canopy and interior, with plywood wing skins and oleo strut suspension.[4]
  • Model with fixed gear and gross weight of 5600NaN0 for the US light-sport aircraft market.[2]
    Pioneer 300 Turbo
  • Model with luxury interior, carbon fibre instrument panel and Rotax 914 turbocharged (914T) engine of 1150NaN0 giving a cruise speed of 2650NaN0.[5]
    Pioneer 330 Acro
  • Aerobatic model, with inverted-capable version of the 1000NaN0 Rotax 912ULS and a strengthened airframe with flight load factors of +6/-3g.[2] [6]

    Current variants

    Pioneer 300
  • Retractable landing gear with a cruising speed of 250kph using a 100hp Rotax 912ULS engine. The 115hp Rotax 914T and 140hp 915iS engines are also offered.[7]
    Pioneer 300 FG
  • Fixed landing gear with a cruising speed of 222kph using a Rotax 912ULS engine.[8]
    Pioneer 300 Griffon
  • Luxury version with a wider and higher cabin, electrically adjustable seats and improved aerodynamics and soundproofing. With retractable landing gear, it is offered with a Rotax 812ULS engine giving a cruising speed of 250kph or a 915iS which gives a cruising speed of 330kph.[9] The Pioneer 330 Acro is also available.[10]

    Notes and References

    1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 26. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
    2. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, pages 26 and 27. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
    3. Web site: Pioneer 300 Standard. 7 January 2024. Alpi Aviation. n.d.. 27 February 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140227063949/http://alpiaviation.com/aa/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1271&Itemid=688&lang=en. dead.
    4. Web site: Pioneer 300 Hawk. 7 January 2024. Alpi Aviation. n.d. . 27 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140227035628/http://alpiaviation.com/aa/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1272&Itemid=689&lang=en . dead.
    5. Web site: Pioneer 300 Turbo . Alpi Aviation. n.d. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140224000812/http://alpiaviation.com/aa/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1273&Itemid=690&lang=en . 24 February 2014 . 7 January 2024 .
    6. Web site: Pioneer 330 Acro . Alpi Aviation. n.d. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140227044055/http://alpiaviation.com/aa/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1274&Itemid=691&lang=en . 27 February 2014 . 7 January 2024 .
    7. Web site: Pioneer 300 . Alpi Aviation . 8 January 2024.
    8. Web site: Pioneer 300 FG . Alpi Aviation . 8 January 2024.
    9. Web site: Pioneer 300 Griffon . Alpi Aviation . 8 January 2024.
    10. Web site: Pioneer 330 . Alpi Aviation . 8 January 2024.