PiRep SBACH 342

Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 March 2010 22:51 Wednesday, 03 March 2010 22:14

Following Pilot Report is based on a "virtual interview" between Gaetano Bisaz and Dominic Andres. Dominic had the opportunity to fly the spectacular SBACH 342 in april 2009...

Dominic, you have flown the SBACH 342 lately. Could you give us a short introduction to this aircraft?

Engine Lycoming AIO 580 ca. 315 HP, Wingspan 7.50m like Extra 330 SC but ca. 1.5 m2  more square, lower wing load. Very easy to handle on ground and in the air. The plane is designed in complete carbon, seems to be a very save and strong construction. The performance is fantastic, possible to compete with one seaters . I also very like the design of this plane, it is very dynamic. Snapping is going very well. The feeling in rolling is harmonic and the stabilizer is very fine, for me a little to much, but it would be easy to change ( it is very french like Cap 232). 

How and where did you encounter the SBACH?

During last trainingcamp in St.Yan with Caterine Maunoury , I meat Philipp Steinbach who friendly offered me a flight in his Sbach 342. 

How is the seating in the plane; are the seats as reclined as in your normal plane (Sukhoi 26)?

Seatingposition is very good, the stick is like sukhoifeeling, and the pedals are very easy adjustable.The mechanics inside are very intelligent and strong, especially the ruder-construction. Philipp watched the russian-planes very closely. 

From its appearance, the SBACH cries "I am a spectacle" and seems to be optimized for freestyle work. So how suitable is the SBACH for precision flying?

The plane is also absolutely made fore precision flying and there seems to be big potential fort this plane.The Xtremeair will certify this plane and that could be a big deal for future. 

Dominic, you have flown many aerobatic aircraft (Sukhoi, Extra, Pitts, Votec), does the SBACH compare to one of these, and why?

We will see in the next competions if it realy compares to the others. My personal opinion is yes, there is a great potential. The aerodynamic system is very intelligent and for me it could be a future plane with this very good concept. Some characteristics are close to sukhoi and if you fly, you feel that very good pilots like Renaud Ecalle did a lot of development work in this plane. Philipp is a great guy and he works very hard for making the plane better and better.  

Well, what did your stomach tell you when you flew the SBACH?

I NEED ONE !!!! but I cannot. Great plane with a wonderful design !!! You can do everything in the air with this plane, no limits !!! UNLIMITED Performance. The future will show what happens, but it is a nice toy for boys !! 

Anything you want to add for our readers?

Watch www.xtremeair.de and you get a lot of interesting infos and details about this plane.Dominic, thank you very much for your information... :-)

Dominic, thank you very much for the interview.