EV-97 EuroStar SL

The Evektor EV-97 EuroStar SL is the reworked generation of the successful Czech design from Kunovice. It was presented at ILA 2008: SL stands for "Sleek Line" and describes exactly what separates the series from the original Eurostar – better aerodynamics, a new vertical tail and a roomier cabin. It is built at the Kunovice works, founded in 1970 as Aerotechnik, taken over completely by Evektor in 1996 and reorganised as EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK a.s. in 1999; the EuroStar family is the company's most widespread ultralight.

The key structural change is in the fuselage: on the SL the lower fuselage is a steel tube truss with a fibreglass shell, while wing and tail stay with the proven aluminium construction. The wing offers 9.84 m² of area; the flight manual quotes a wing loading of 45.7 kg/m² (referenced to 450 kg), which works out at roughly 48 kg/m² at a 472.5 kg takeoff weight. The documents disagree on wingspan: the German flight manual, the current factory data sheet and the DAeC type data sheets state 8.15 m with upturned wing tips, while older manual editions give 8.10 m. Several build standards exist within the series – SL, SL+ and SLX; which one an aircraft is depends on its paperwork. Not part of this series are the Eurostar SLW-Sport, which received a 600 kg type approval in 2020, the SLW, listed in the sources at 580 kg takeoff weight, and the LSA sister SportStar – separate lines with different figures. Evektor's standard configuration is the Rotax 912 ULS (100 hp) with slipper clutch and airbox, while the flight manual also covers the base Rotax 912 UL (80 hp); the ground-adjustable Propuls AES 1700/3/R composite propeller is standard, with alternatives from DUC, Woodcomp, Neuform and Kaspar available.

In the air the SL remains a fast tourer within ultralight limits: roughly 170–200 km/h cruise depending on power setting, with the German manual quoting VNO 235 km/h as the maximum structural cruising speed, a 65 km/h stall speed, 7.5 m/s climb, a 150 m takeoff and 200 m landing distance and a 10:1 glide ratio at around 15 l/h. The manual's range calculation assumes about 690 km at 154 km/h or 630 km at 169 km/h – in each case from the 65-litre fuselage tank behind the seats and without reserve. The flight manual fixes maximum takeoff weight at 472.5 kg and a minimum crew weight of 55 kg. Documented equipment includes the ballistic Galaxy GRS 6 473 SD B2 rescue system, and the UK manual approves the SL under BCAR Section S while explicitly restricting operations to day VFR – IFR and flight in icing conditions are prohibited. Current prices for SL examples appear as average, minimum and maximum at the top of this page, calculated live from the actual listings.

The SL's strengths are noticeably cleaner aerodynamics than the first generation, a cabin usable for larger pilots at 1.18 m width and 46.5 inches of shoulder room, the factory-fitted adjustable composite propeller, the 472.5 kg takeoff weight, and the manufacturer-documented towing capability – glider tows up to 700 kg and banner tows up to 140 m². The weaknesses: useful load stays typically tight for an ultralight, because the German flight manual gives a basic-standard empty weight of around 302.5 kg, leaving only some 170 kg for crew, baggage and fuel at 472.5 kg maximum; the fixed gear and 65-litre tank cap range and cruise performance; and the documents do not always agree, for instance on wingspan and empty weight. The designations SL, SL+, SLX and SLW are also freely mixed up on the used market, so careful paperwork checks matter.

The EuroStar SL suits pilots looking for a modern, fast metal tourer with decent cabin space who value the maintenance advantages of a widespread Rotax powerplant. Clubs benefit additionally from the towing approval. Anyone who wants the cheapest way into the family should look at the older EV-97 Eurostar; anyone needing more useful load has to move to the series with higher takeoff weights, which technically no longer belong to the SL.