Sequoia Falco

It was designed by Stelio Frati, one of the great aircraft designers of all time. It was certified as a production aircraft. It was built as a production aircraft and has a history of over 40 years of use by pilots in Europe.

The F.8L Falco is a two-seat aircraft with comfortable side-by-side seating for two large adults and provisions for adding a third seat for a 90-pound child in the luggage compartment behind the pilot and passenger's seats. The modern instrument panel provides for a complete IFR installation.

A true dual-purpose aircraft, the Falco offers an unbeatable combination of high-speed cross-country travel with complete aerobatic capability.

Powered with a fuel-injected 160 hp Lycoming, an engine of legendary reliability, the Falco will cruise at 190 mph. The fuel-injected 180 hp Lycoming may also be used, providing a cruise of 198 mph and a dramatically higher rate of climb.

Forty-gallon tanks provide an ultimate range of about 1,000 miles. All that speed means fuel efficiency-specifically about 25 miles per gallon.

Normal landings and takeoffs require only 1,150 feet to clear a 50-foot barrier. The flaps are very effective and allow for steep approaches. The landing gear is very rugged and is suitable for rough-field operation. The maximum permissible speed in a dive is 240 mph.

The gross weight of 1,880 pounds provides a useful load of 668 pounds, ample for two people, full fuel and luggage. The aerobatic weight provides for the ability to carry two people, one hour of fuel and parachutes.

The Falco is much stronger than a normal airplane, and this added strength means it is capable of taking loads far in excess of those that a normal aircraft could stand. Operational limits are +6 g's and ­3 g's at aerobatic weight. The ultimate load factor is 7.8 g's at full gross-9 g's at aerobatic weight. The ultimate load factors provide a margin of safety of 50% over the normal operational load factors.

With a power-to-weight ratio that is lower than most singles, the Falco accelerates quickly on takeoff. At 1,150 feet per minute, the rate of climb is brisk. You'll be able to climb rapidly through weather to smooth clear air on top.

The tricycle landing gear is retractable. Retraction time is approximately 7 seconds, and a hand crank between the seats is provided for emergency operation. The trailing-link landing gear absorbs energy well. You really have to work at it to make a bad landing in a Falco.

The sliding bubble canopy provides easy entry and the unlimited visibility of the fighter pilot. The comfortable cabin has plenty of headroom. The ride in turbulence is smooth, and the vibration level is very low. The seats are adjustable and an optional rear seat may be fitted for a child. Dual control sticks are provided, and the stick on the right is removable to allow freedom of movement for the passenger. Exceptional visibility gives the cockpit an open and spacious feeling.

A timeless beauty and a masterpiece of design. This is no ordinary aircraft. It is a classic European gran tourismo sex-on-wings design that has an elegance of design and a purity of form and function not found in other aircraft. The Falco's speed, aerobatic agility and smooth, jet-like handling puts it in a class completely to itself.

Whatever your needs--aerobatics, cross-country flying or both--you will find that the Falco will add a new dimension of enjoyment. It will give a new meaning to flying, and put the joy of flying back where it should be. The Falco is flying as you always dreamed it would be.

The Falco is made of wood. The ribs, spars and fuselage frames are made of fine-grained Sitka spruce and then faced with aircraft-grade birch plywood. The entire airplane is skinned with birch plywood. The interior surfaces are coated with epoxy, and the outside is covered with a very thin layer of fibreglass and epoxy for moisture protection.

In many ways, the Falco is like building a balsa-wood model, only this one is full-size and build time can be up to 8000 hours! Wood is a pleasure to work with, and anyone can do it. No special skills or equipment are needed. With wood you can build an aircraft of unequalled beauty, and a well-designed wood structure, like the Falco, is very light.

specifications
 
powerplant
propeller
length
height
wing span
wing area
seats
empty weight
 useful load
gross weight
fuel capacity
range		 160 hp Lycoming IO-320-B1A 
Hartzell 2-blade, constant-speed
 21' 9"
 7' 6"
 26' 3"
 107.5 sq ft
2
 1,212 lbs
 668 lbs
 1,880 lbs
 40 U.S. gals
 x		 180 hp Lycoming IO-360-B1E
 Hartzell 2-blade, constant-speed
 21' 9"
 7' 6"
 6' 3"
 107.5 sq ft
2
 1,212 lbs
 660 lbs
 1,880 lbs
 40 U.S. gals
 x

performance

takeoff distance, ground roll
rate of climb
max speed
cruise speed
landing distance, ground roll
 service ceiling		 570 ft
 1,140 fpm
 212 mph
 190 mph
 750 ft
x19,000 ft		 530 ft
 1,500 fpm
 220 mph
 198 mph
 750 ft
 19,000 ft

limiting and recommended speeds

design manoeuvring speed (Va)
never exceed speed (Vne)
stall, power off (Vsl)
landing approach speed 		140 mph
 240 mph
 75 mph
x		 140 mph
 240 mph
 75 mph
x

All specifications are based on manufacturer's calculations