MSW Votec 252T (c/n 05-001, HB-YMU), a prototype Swiss aerobatic aircraft, preparing for take-off for a flying display during Flugtage Fricktal-Schupfart 2018 air show, Schupfart, July 2018.
The Votec 252T is a single-engine aerobatic and light sports aircraft, developed from the MSW Votec 322 aeroplane. The predecessor was designed for amateur construction by MSW Aviation from Switzerland and first flew on 6 April 2001.
Nevertheless, the roots of both aforementioned designs date back to the early 1990s and an American homebuilt aerobatic aircraft developed by Dan Rihn and known as the DR-107 “One Design”. The DR-107 was created as a low-cost aeroplane intended for use in one-design competitions, such as Class One of the International Aerobatic Club.
The initial DR-107 design was further developed by Max Vogelsang to create the Votec 322 – a low-wing cantilever monoplane of mixed steel, wood and carbon fibre construction. The aircraft was powered by a single 330 hp Lycoming AEIO-540 six-cylinder piston engine and had conventional landing gear. Initially, the Votec 322 was designed as a two-seater in a tandem configuration, but later a single-seat variant was introduced, known as the Votec 351.
In 2009, MSW Aviation introduced a new aerobatic aircraft derived from the Votec 322. It was designated the Votec 252T and took to the skies for the first time on 26 June of that year.
Like its predecessor, the Votec 252T prototype was a low-wing cantilever monoplane, although it incorporated a higher percentage of carbon fibre in its construction. The aircraft had two seats in a side-by-side configuration and was equipped with tricycle landing gear. It was powered by a single 250 hp Lycoming AEIO-540-J3A5 six-cylinder piston engine.
The aeroplane’s performance and aerobatic capabilities included a maximum g-load of +8/-8, a maximum speed of approximately 320 km/h and a rate of climb of 17.8 m/s.
Similarly to its predecessors, the Votec 252T was developed as a kit aircraft for amateur construction. However, the programme remained at the prototype stage.
Currently, the sole example of the Votec 252T is operated by Wings Level GmbH in Switzerland. The aeroplane is used for Advanced Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (AUPRT) and aerobatic training flights.
