Zivko Edge 540
Zivko Aeronautics · United States · first flew 1993 · light aircraft
The Zivko Edge 540 is a single-seat unlimited-category aerobatic aircraft widely regarded as one of the finest competition aerobatic monoplanes ever built. It is the aircraft of choice for many top aerobatic and air-race competitors.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.27 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Purpose-built aerobatic competition monoplane
- Carbon-fibre composite construction
- Dominant in Red Bull Air Race series
A compact low-wing monoplane with a round-section fuselage, large bubble canopy, and tapered symmetrical wing; the absence of any retractable gear and the bright race liveries are characteristic.
Specifications
- The Zivko Edge 540 has a length of 6.27 m (21 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.42 m (24 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 407 km/h (253 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Zivko Aeronautics of Guthrie, Oklahoma, the Edge 540 first flew in the early 1990s and quickly became dominant in unlimited aerobatic competition. Its carbon-composite construction and symmetrical wing section enable superb roll rates and negative-g performance.
Variants
The Edge 540 T is a two-seat tandem training variant; minor updates have been made throughout production without major variant designations.
Where you'll see it
Widely used on the global aerobatics competition circuit and featured extensively in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship series.
Related aircraft
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