Horsepower
100 hp
75 kW
Max Cruise
133 KTAS
246 km/h
Max Altitude
18,000 ft
5,486 m
Max Range
625 nm
1,158 km
Useful Load
505 lb
229 kg
The Most Advanced Aircraft in its Category
A bold claim, yet the Explorer delivers. The clean lines and efficient design provide superior performance with minimum power required. The Explorer is the highest performing aircraft in the CS-LSA category.
The Explorer’s durability, speed and performance make it an ideal aircraft for operation in remote locations, including an extensive variety of temperatures and altitudes. Approved for Day/Night VFR operation and intentional spins, the aircraft is matched with an IFR-ready avionics package. The Explorer is ready for you.
Best in Class
The Explorer is the finest equipped, affordable and comfortable two-seat EASA type certified aircraft in its category. Featuring IFR-ready avionics, dual touchscreen Garmin G3X, advanced auto-pilot, constant speed propeller and airbrakes all standard, the Explorer is the best option for personal travel, as a club workhorse or an advanced trainer.
why explorer?
Safety as Standard
The Explorer incorporates the HDSW (Haptic Device Stall Warning) system, which alerts pilots approaching a stall. The full airframe parachute system adds peace of mind and the modern, carbon construction creates a robust, rugged workhorse.
Value
The Explorer boasts an efficiently-designed airframe, low fuel consumption and approval to operate both AVGAS and MOGAS. All while still providing exceptional versatility and equipment. It’s approved for Day/Night VFR operations, intentional spins and packed with equipment including the Garmin G3X avionics package, air brakes, constant speed propeller and airframe parachute rescue system all as standard.
Technical Data Pipistrel Explorer
VIRUS SW 121A – EXPLORER
The Virus SW 121A – Explorer is the most advanced aircraft in its category. It is one step ahead of its older brother, the Virus SW 121. It is the result of over 30 years of Pipistrel’s experience in designing energy-efficient motor-planes, which follow the glider philosophy. The extraordinarily clean aircraft shapes enable flying with minimum power and noise, as well as the lowest fuel consumption, while keeping the performance on the same level or even better. Approved for intentional spins and Night VFR, the Explorer has the best flight characteristics in its category.
Structural efficiency is the sum of knowledge acquired in making 1500 aircraft of the same family of products. Certified and used in the most diverse environments all over the world, the entire SW 121 aircraft family fulfils the expectations of the most demanding customers who use the aircraft in hot & humid or extremely cold conditions, salty atmosphere close to the sea, or at very high altitude airports.
Even with all its advanced features and superb performance, the Explorer’s extremely efficient, environment-friendly design makes it very simple to fly and operate. The results are low running and maintenance costs, making it the most affordable choice on the market, either as an advanced trainer for the training organizations or as a personal travel aircraft for adventurous individuals.
The Explorer features the best equipment in the category, including:
- dual touch-screen glass cockpit
- full-featured autopilot
- dual radio
- ADS-B In & Out
- haptic stall-warning
- full airframe ballistic parachute rescue system
- certified engine capable of running on automotive fuel
- certified hydraulic constant speed propeller
- airbrakes for rapid descent
- glider towing hook
- approval for night VFR
- approval for intentional spins
- adjustable pedals and headrests
Technical Data for Pipistrel Virus SW 121A – Explorer
*Data using MTOW of 1,323 lb, ISA, SL
Note: Pipistrel reserves the right to revise this data sheet whenever occasioned by product improvement, government/authority regulations or other good cause.
The Explorer is the best aircraft for towing banners and gliders! Why?
- Extremely strong and protected tow hook
- Low noise (allows operation in populated areas)
- Superb climb with the constant speed propeller
- Airbrakes to reduce the time of descent
- Excellent visibility from the cockpit
Safe and economic:
- Proven base aircraft structure (1300 units flying all over the world in harshest conditions)
- No Avgas needed (using automotive fuel)
- Low consumption
- Low operating costs (less that 60 EUR/h including maintenance and depreciation)
The entire SW 121 aircraft family (of which the Explorer is a member) has proven itself as the tow airplanes in many marketing campaigns, championships and flight clubs, towing all types of banners and gliders of all weights, among others as the official towplane of the junior world gliding championship!
Proven as the tow aircraft from grass to concrete runways, extreme hot or cold conditions, from low near-sea humid areas to high mountain resorts.
Capable to tow from short runways
In standard atmosphere and on asphalt runway, the 15 m obstacle is overflown:
- from 600m runway with 600 kg MTOM glider
- from 800m runway with 750 kg MTOM glider
Extremely strong and protected tow hook enables countless repetitions.
Low noise enables operation directly over populated areas, which is essential for good result of banner-towing campaigns.
Being familiar with the aircraft manuals makes your flying much safer and more efficient. Pipistrel Technical Publication Portal is your central location to find all manuals and service information in a single spot.
Browse by content, maximum takeoff weight, category, or model name. A search function is also available in the upper right corner of the Technical Publication Portal interface.
To attain the access username and password for the Technical Publications Portal, please contact our customer support at sales@pipistrel-aircraft.com
The Virus SW 121A – Explorer is a new member of the EASA Type-certified SW121 product family.
All the certificates and registrations which apply to Virus SW121 are also valid for the SW121A – Explorer.
See the documents below:
GERMANY
MALDIVES
NETHERLANDS
URUGUAY
SOUTH AFRICA