New South African aerobatic aircraft will compete in Red Bull series

THIS is the latest Slick 360 aerobatic aircraft being built and developed in South Africa by 2004 World Advanced Aerobatic Champion Glen Dell - who is also one of the new influx of pilots competing in this year's Red Bull World Air Race Series.

There are currently three Slick 360s flying and another three close to completion by manufacturer, AeroCam, based at Centurion near Pretoria. The design came from Glen who spotted the need for a new aircraft to compete in the Advanced aerobatics class.

The 360 has a similar wing profile to that of the Laser, but uses modern carbon-fibre and Kevlar composites for greater strength. It's rated to +/- 10g with a safety factor of 2.0, meaning no part should fail before +/- 20g.

Carbon fibre ribs and longerons are also used in the monocoque fuselage, with Kevlar surrounding the cockpit for improved pilot crash protection. The aircraft is also claimed to have an exceptional roll rate of more than 400 degrees per second.

Power is from a 240hp four-cylinder IO-360 Lycoming engine, equipped with a three-blade lightweight prop. Max speed is 215kt.

The prototype aircraft won first time out - in Glen's hands in the 2004 South Africa Aerobatic Championships. Glen's own Slick 360 is currently being fitted with a new canopy that's shorter and smaller than the one pictured here.

The aircraft Glen will race in the Red Bull series is still being built. Called the 'Super Slick', it has the same dimensions as the 360 but is fitted with a more powerful 330hp modified engine from US tuners Barrett Precision Engines - who already supply RB racers including champ Kirby Chambliss - and a bigger 3-blade prop.

"The Super Slick is about 80% complete," said Celeste Bennett, PR for Glen. "Glen will be participating in the Red Bull Air Race series from June onwards, flying the new aircraft."
W: www.slick360.com

FAST FACTS Slick 360 Vne 217kt Cruise 160kt Stall speed 49kt Engine 230hp Lycoming IO-360 Prop 3-blade Muehlbauer MTV-9 Wing span 7.3mt Length 5.85mt Height 2.15mt MTOW (aero) 580kg MTOW (normal) 685kg Empty weight 475kg Load factor +/- 10g