NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2024
Our Customers, their aircraft…
An MCR above seas and oceans
When, in the second half of the 2000s, his young aeronautical engineer son, Bryn, discovered this surprising little machine, he was immediately seduced. Bryn decided to buy and import an MCR Club kit via his aeronautical maintenance and development company, Leading Edge Aviation of Helensville. Construction of the aircraft was completed in May 2007, and that same year this superb MCR Club, registered ZK-WIK, took part in the Wanaka Airgames, where it was awarded ‘Race Winner’ prize and even became a demonstrator in New Zealand. Later, in November 2009, Harvey Lockie became the owner.
In addition, the fuel tanks have been modified to allow the machine to carry up to 180 liters (2 x 50 liters in each wing and 80 liters in the central tank). What’s more, a second fuel pump and a back-up battery have been fitted with a specific aim in mind: to make an outstanding trip over the sea!
More precisely, a 488NM flight made with a group of 5 other aircraft to reach tiny Norfolk Island (more or less 5 km in diameter) located at the crossroads of the Coral Sea, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. A non-stop flight, of course, during which the little Clubsport will have flown over nothing but water for 4 hours.
In such flying conditions, the need to have emergency fuel transfer methods takes on its full meaning, since the nearest alternatives were Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia or a U-turn to New Zealand. Alternatives all located… 400NM from Norfolk!
Fortunately, the outward and return flights went off without a hitch for the Clubsport and the 5 other aircraft. Quite a performance in itself for this valiant Clubsport, and a lot of memories for Harvey Lockie at its controls.
At SE Aviation Aircraft, we’re proud to see that our customers don’t hesitate to take on big and beautiful challenges aboard their MCRs, proof if any were needed that the reliability of our aircraft is beyond question.
When Harvey talks about his MCR Clubsport…
K-WIK has excellent performance with its upgraded Rotax. It’s very stable in the air and very precise at the controls. Above all, it is very fuel efficient, so it has great endurance. For example, during our 488NM flight over the sea, some aircraft would not have been able to cope with a last-minute rerouting due to a lack of fuel. Because if Norfolk airport had been closed at the last moment, they would have been forced to ditch near the beach. That day, only two of the group’s aircraft would have been able to re-route: a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron… and my MCR Clubsport!
WHAT IS NEW AT SE AVIATION AIRCRAFT?
One more MCR Pick-Up Evolution in the air!
In August 2024, we had the pleasure to deliver an MCR Pick-Up Evolution to one of our customers. Delighted, he couldn’t wait to get on board and discover its flying environment, featuring Garmin G3X and 2-axis autopilot for example. He then took off from Pontarlier for Meurthe-et-Moselle, where the aircraft will now be based.
As a reminder, the MCR Pick-Up Evolution is an ultralight based on the MCR-4S architecture, with the rear seats converted into a large luggage compartment. Like this one, all MCR Pick-Up Evolution models are fitted with 100hp Rotax 912 ULS engines and MT Propeller, E-PROP or DUC propellers. It take-offs in 200 m, cruises at 130 kt (TAS at FL65), consumes just 20L/H (at 75% power), giving it a range of 2,690 km.
In short, with an MTOW of 600 kg, the Pick-Up Evolution is the ideal traveling machine for two!
