Sport Aviation - August 1998

FLYING QUALITIES REPORT

BERKUT

BY ED KOLANO
PHOTOS BY ALAN STAATS

The Berkut is back after a couple of years out of the public eye. Designer Dave Ronneberg kept his crew, vendors and customer base intact through the dissolution of Experimental Aircraft, Inc. and subsequent rebirth of Renaissance Composites, Inc. Although their new Berkut sports a list of improvements, the revision responsible for the most Pavlovian customer response is the installation of the Lycoming 10-540, 260 horsepower engine. Turning a Klaus Savier two-blade, fixed pitch (110") propeller, this powerplant seems a better match for the basic airframe than the original 180 horsepower engine.

Other improvements fall into the pilot preference category. For instance, instead of the awkward hop-up-to-the-canopy-rail cockpit entrance, you just step into the cockpit while the nose is on the ground with the nosewheel retracted. Then flip the landing gear switch from "Kneel" to "Down" to extend the nosewheel after the occupants are aboard. The process is reversed before climbing out. Slick. A clear window in the center pedestal allows the pilot to ensure the castoring nosewheel is straight prior to lowering the nose; damage will occur otherwise. The landing brake is now electrically operated instead of the Wheaties-required mechanical lever on the prototype. There's an improved canopy latching system and lighter lateral (aileron) control feel as well.

The front seat is still cozy, but not confining for an FAA-standard adult. Sills on both sides of the pilot serve as arm rests, although the one on the right must be shared with circuit breakers set nearly flush with the surface. The left sill contains a sectionalsize compartment. Baggage locations include the hollow inboard portion, the wings/strakes accessible by the rear seater, a shelf behind the rear seater's head and an overnight bag compartment in the nose.

Baggage is probably not the Berkut pilot's concern. Although the company advertises a 1,500 mile range, the airplane is better suited for fun flying than coast-to-coast journeys. The 3 0' reclined seat is not adjustable so the right side stick and left throttle are always ergonomically friendly. Adjusting the rudder pedals requires hand tools. While this wrench-turning and cushion-stuff- is an inconvenience to accommodate pilots of different sizes, it also implies a custom fit situation which just adds to the fighter pilot feeling.