Without a doubt the flagship of the Aeroprakt aircraft; The A22LS is produced with standard oversize main gear tyres, retaining the original slightly smaller nose wheel. The aircraft comes with two options of controls, the central mounted Y stick, or twin yoke controls as found on most general aviation light aircraft. The A22LS has proven itself globally as a safe, professionally build, sturdy and rugged aircraft. It’s flight envelope which combines a good cruising speed as well as a very low stall speed is extraordinary and perfectly suited to operations including surveying, air photography, anti poaching patrols and wildlife monitoring. The A22 has an exemplary record as the ideal recreational and training aircraft with its stability, forgiving flight envelope and un-cramped cabin comfort. The A22LS legally and safely carries payloads of 200kgs and easily gets into and out of the smallest unprepared strips.

 

An extremely pilot friendly, versatile and “strap it onto your back” type of aircraft that does everything you ask of it in a smooth and responsive manner. The A22 is a rugged yet easy to handle airplane combining short field take off with a comfortable 90+ knot cruise speed, retaining its performance carrying full loads at high density altitude.

 

 

The prototype A22 was conceived on the drawing board of Antonov Design Bureau engineer, Yuri Yakovlev, purely as an easy-to-fly 450kg LSA with very good pilot/passenger comfort and versatile all-round performance. The type first flew during 1996 and it was clear from the very beginning that pilots of moderate ability would be able to operate the A22 in safety from the typically short microlight airstrips found in the UK and the rest of Europe. This is an aircraft purposely designed for the new LSA category rather than a plane from another class trying to squeeze itself in. Yuri originally dubbed his new design "Shark," likely because of the distinctive fin. In Germany the plane has achieved certification to the demanding BFU-95 requirement but is known simply as the A22. In USA they call it the "Valor." In Britain, Australia and South Africa ,with a respectful nod to its country of origin, it is called the "Foxbat." But what's in a name? The A22 is a superbly engineered aircraft with no aerodynamic vices.

 

The riveted monocoque airframe is of Alclad aluminium with fabric-covered wings and control surfaces. Standard engine is now the 100hp Rotax 912-S although the Rotax 912is is also an option.
Like all A22's our South African demo plane retains adequate control response in all three axes at speeds slower than 28Kts yet it can cruise at over 90Kts on 17 liters of MOGAS per hour, with a range of 450 Nm. The cockpit is very roomy with plenty of luggage space and excellent visibility. Those qualities make the Foxbat the right alternative for pilots moving on from 390-kg microlight types but who still wish to carry on using their Club airstrips with confidence. This plane will also appeal to pilots switching to the LSA category from what might be described as a more "formal" background in heavier aircraft. Either way, the A22 will easily bridge the gap between GA aerodromes and microlight airfields.

 

The Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat is a Ukrainian two-seat, high-wing, tricycle gear  aircraft manufactured by Aeroprakt.

The Aeroprakt A-22 is supplied either as "ready-to-fly" factory built aircraft, or as a kit, consisting of 152 pieces. The kit can be built in about 500 man-hours.

 

The A-22's structure is almost completely all-metal with only the engine cowling, wing fillets and wheel spats being made of composites. The wings and control surfaces are fabric/dope covered. The aircraft has excellent visibility, due to the large amount of glazing, including convex doors that allow the occupants to look straight down. The A-22 uses a 3-axis control system, giving the pilot full control over the aircraft. The A-22 uses flaperons in place of ailerons and flaps, giving a stall speed of 52Kmh (28Kt) with the flaperons fully down.