The aircraft was introduced in 2000 and production ended when the company went out of business in 2005.[2]
Design and development
The Viking II was designed for the training role, to comply with the U.S. FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules as a two-seat trainer, but also meets the Fédération Aéronautique Internationalemicrolight category requirements, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). Some were also registered as Experimental aircraft in the U.S. and one as an Experimental - Amateur-built.[1][3]
The aircraft carriage is built from metal tubing with a composite partial cockpit fairing. In flight steering is accomplished via handles that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has foot pedal-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension.[1]
The aircraft has an empty weight of 270 lb (122 kg) and a gross weight of 715 lb (324 kg), giving a useful load of 445 lb (202 kg). With full fuel of 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) the payload for crew and baggage is 385 lb (175 kg).[1][4]
The standard day, sea level, no wind, take off with a 50 hp (37 kW) engine is 100 ft (30 m) and the landing roll is 10 ft (3 m).[4]
The company also produced a single seat version of the Viking II design, which it referred to simply as the "Single-Place". This version mounts a single seat on a narrower cockpit frame, but is otherwise similar.[1][5]