MVP Model 3

{{Infobox aircraft begin

| name=Model 3

| image=MVP Model3.jpg

| caption=MVP Model 3 prototype on display

}}{{Infobox aircraft type

| type=Amphibious light sport aircraft

| national origin=

| manufacturer=MVP.aero

| designer=Mike Van Staagen

| first flight=

| introduced=2014

| retired=

| status= Cancelled

| primary user=

| more users=

| produced=

| number built=

| program cost=

| unit cost=US $169,000 Experimental - $189,000 S-LSA{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|date=September 2014|page=14|title=First LSA Triphib}}

| developed from=

| variants with their own articles=

}}

The MVP Model 3 was a prototype American "triphibian" light-sport aircraft, displayed in mockup form in 2014. The aircraft was under development by MVP.AERO Inc. (sometimes styled MVP.aero). Its developer has since ceased operations.{{cite web|author=Mercedes Streeter |title=This Plane Tried To Be A Camper And A Fishing Boat At The Same Time |url=https://jalopnik.com/this-plane-tried-to-be-a-camper-and-a-fishing-boat-at-t-1848500786|date=8 February 2022 |publisher=Jalopnik}}

The company was incorporated in Delaware in 2011 by father and son Darrell and Michael Lynds and friend Steve Pugh. Its design and engineering team, led by Mike Van Staagen, was based in Duluth, Minnesota, with management and administration in Minneapolis.{{cite web|title=MVP - About Us|url=http://www.mvp.aero/us/|date= |accessdate=8 April 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208030257/http://www.mvp.aero/us/ |archivedate=8 February 2015 }} In January 2016, it was announced that the plane would be built in Brunswick, Maine.{{cite web|title='Flying boat' maker lands in Brunswick|date=22 January 2016 |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2016/01/22/business/amphibious-folding-wing-plane-maker-to-move-to-brunswick/|accessdate=8 April 2016}} Although, by February 2022, the program had been cancelled.

Design and development

The MVP Model 3 was designed to operate on land, water, snow and ice. The floor panels were intended to be rearranged to accommodate fishing or camping. The design would be marketed in several versions, including the E-AB, E-LSA, and S-LSA.{{cite web|title=MVP Model 3 |url=http://www.mvp.aero/airplane/ |accessdate=1 August 2014 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801215536/http://www.mvp.aero/airplane/ |archivedate=1 August 2014 }} The aircraft was a two-seater in side-by-side configuration with a pusher propeller and folding wings, which were to be constructed with carbon-fiber composite spars and covered with fabric. The balance of the airframe was constructed from a combination of carbon fiber and fiberglass. Electric thrusters helped the aircraft maneuver in the water.{{cite news|newspaper=Airventue Today|date=28 July 2014|page=12|author=James Wynbrandt|title=MVP.aero announces new LSA triphibian}}{{cite web|title=MVP Amphib Adds Versatility|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/MVP-Amphib-Adds-Versatility222410-1.html|accessdate=29 June 2014}}Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 69. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}

The design allowed the canopy to be raised on a four bar system to sit above the engine cowling. This left the cockpit area open for fishing from and can also allow mounting of a tent for camping, with the floor panels inserted. With the canopy fully open the engine was intended to still run for water maneuvering.

The Model 3's lead designer, Mike Van Staagen, is a former Cirrus Aircraft engineer who played a key role in the design and development of the Cirrus Vision SF50 personal jet, as well as the Cirrus SR20 and SR22 composite light aircraft.{{cite news|url=http://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/lsasport/mvp-amphibian-offers-ultimate-versatility |title=MVP Amphibian Offers Ultimate Versatility |author= Stephen Pope |date= July 2014 |publisher= Flyingmag.com}} Cirrus co-founder Alan Klapmeier served on the company's advisory board.{{cite web|url=http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/July/27/MVP-Aero-developing-light-sport-amphib |title=MVP Aero developing light sport amphib |publisher=AOPA |date=2014-07-27 |accessdate=2023-08-13}}

Variants

;Model 3 E-AB:

;Model 3 E-LSA:

;Model 3 S-LSA:

Specifications (MVP Model 3)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=MVP Aero

|prime units?=kts

|genhide=

|crew=one

|capacity=one passenger

|length m=7.24

|length ft=

|length in=

|length note=wings extended, {{convert|8.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} wings folded

|span m=10.97

|span ft=

|span in=

|span note=

|width m=2.44

|width ft=

|width in=

|width note=wings folded

|height m=

|height ft=

|height in=

|height note=

|wing area sqm=

|wing area sqft=

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight lb=

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=

|gross weight lb=

|gross weight note=

|fuel capacity={{convert|26|USgal|impgal l|abbr=on}}

|more general=

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Rotax 914

|eng1 type=horizontally-opposed piston aircraft engine

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=115

|prop blade number=

|prop name=

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=

|prop dia in=

|prop dia note=

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=

|max speed mph=

|max speed kts=

|max speed note=

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed mph=

|cruise speed kts=104

|cruise speed note=at sea level

|stall speed kmh=

|stall speed mph=

|stall speed kts=41

|stall speed note=with full flaps

|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed mph=

|never exceed speed kts=

|never exceed speed note=

|range km=

|range miles=

|range nmi=

|range note=

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|ceiling m=

|ceiling ft=

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

|roll rate=

|glide ratio=

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=1000

|climb rate note=at sea level

|time to altitude=

|lift to drag=

|wing loading kg/m2=

|wing loading lb/sqft=11

|wing loading note=

|power/mass=

|thrust/weight=

|more performance=

|avionics=

}}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20230000000000*/http://www.mvp.aero/ MVP.AERO website archives]

Category:Amphibious aircraft

Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft

Category:High-wing aircraft

Category:2010s United States sport aircraft