RYSON ST-100 “CLOUDSTER”€

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cloudster is an all-metal, 100-hp powered sailplane designed for efficient soaring, featuring a Wortmann airfoil and electrically actuated flaps that also serve as airbrakes.
  • Its design prioritizes both performance and comfort, with a clean fixed landing gear, a steerable tailwheel, and a heated, ventilated cockpit with a full-vision canopy.
  • As a touring aircraft, it cruises at 135 mph (75% power) with a 690-mile range at 6 gph, notably requiring only 20% power for level flight.
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The Cloudster is a powered sailplane or an airplane that soars, whichever you prefer. The all-metal airplane is fitted with a 100-hp Continental and a Wortmann FX 67-170/17 airfoil. The flaps, which also serve as airbrakes, are electrically actuated, and the ailerons and flaps are interconnected to operate together from -12 degrees to +8 degrees. After that, the flaps continue down to any desired position. The two-wheel fixed landing gear is extremely clean and gives a gliding performance as good as if they were retractable. The tailwheel is steerable. Both seats are designed to accommodate parachutes, and the cockpit is heated and ventilated. A full-vision one-piece canopy hinges on the right side. As a touring airplane, it cruises at 135 mph (75-percent
power) using just 6 gph to yield a range of 690 miles. At lower power settings, the range can be greatly increased. Only 20-percent power is required to keep the Cloudster in level flight.

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