Scaled Composites Pond Racer
Scaled Composites · United States · first flew 1991 · light aircraft
The Scaled Composites Pond Racer (Model 158) was a twin-engine twin-boom racing aircraft developed for Bob Pond by Burt Rutan and Scaled Composites.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-boom racing aircraft with two engines in tractor layout
- Composite carbon fibre and Kevlar airframe
- Two Electramotive V-6 engines driving four-bladed propellers through reduction units
A twin-boom layout with two tractor engines and a mid-mounted wing.
Specifications
- The Scaled Composites Pond Racer has a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.73 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 644 km/h (400 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Pond wanted a modern aircraft to compete in the Unlimited Class at Reno without risking historic warbirds. The airframe was carbon fibre and Kevlar and the first flight was on 22 March 1991. The Electramotive 3-litre V-6 engines were based on the Nissan VG30 and reached around 600 hp, not the intended 1,000 hp.
Variants
Only one was built, registered N221BP.
Where you'll see it
It debuted at the 1991 Reno races, entered the Silver class and qualified at 400 mph, but developed mechanical problems and dropped out. It was destroyed on 14 September 1993.
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