The Sunward SA 60L Aurora is a Chinese light-sport aircraft, designed and produced by Sunward Aircraft, a division of Hunan Science and Technologies Co Ltd, an industrial machine manufacturer located in the Lu Gu High Technology Development Zone. The aircraft is intended to be supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1][2]
The Aurora was designed to comply with 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, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The aircraft's 8.6 m (28.2 ft) span wing has a rectangular planform and employs flaps. The standard engine available is the Austrian-made 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS four-stroke powerplant.[1][2]
The Civil Aviation Administration of China granted the design a type design approval in mid-2013.[2]
Bayerl et al. note that the Aurora closely resembles the Fly Synthesis Texan, but that the manufacturer claims the Aurora is an original design.[1]
The aircraft can be equipped for banner-towing, aerial photography and has an airshow smoke generation system available.[2]
In July 2014 the company announced an improved version, the SA 60V, with an upgraded engines installation using Austrian, rather than Chinese components and an IFR capable instrument panel.[3]
The design was added to the Federal Aviation Administration's list of approved special light-sport aircraft on 20 August 2019.[4][5]
Reviewer Marino Boric described the design in a 2015 review as "stylish" and "elegant".[2]
Data from Bayerl, Tacke and manufacturer[1][2][6]
General characteristics
Performance
Avionics