Flight Trial : Pipistrel's Sleek Panthera

The innovative Slovenian company, Pipistrel, is still toiling away on the sleek and sexy Panthera single-engine retractable. In this in-depth video, AVweb's Paul Bertorelli took the airplane for a couple of flights and crunched all the numbers. So is it as fast as it looks? Pretty much.

[@rohanbaty3155]

I love this guy's flight reviews. No nonsense and straight to the important points. Devoid of sales pitchy type phrases n sentiments.

[@DavidDavid-jb1cy]

@Agent J Is St. Lewis nearby St. Louis?

[@hogey74]

Watch his St Barts landing one.

[@tropicthndr]

Yep, the only reviews that mean anything. Turned the Mooney Ultra exaggerated hype nonsense into reality, the plane that still can’t carry anything.

[@The-KP]

He's got one of the best jobs in the world.

[@Make_Boxing_Great_Again]

I’ve never seen someone who looks and sounds more like a pilot than this guy, he speaks slowly calmly and flawlessly. 😅

[@jm08a31]

Such a sleek plane. Always a fan of AvWeb videos.

[@terryjones9784]

jm08a: such a sleek plane the plane: 03:16

[@Heatherder]

@@terryjones9784 I don't get it. You don't like the cowl fairings?

[@FloridaFlying]

Great review! I agree, it is one of the best looking planes on the market today

[@quepasacharlestoncharlesto2782]

Earn your sport pilot license in 10hrs

[@darrylwbraun]

There is no more trustworthy a reviewer than Paul Bertorelli. You hear that AVweb? Keep this guy!

[@AceCombatFan]

Very impressed with all the measures they took to reduce the drag. Plane looking pretty cool as well. Very good video!

[@bjs2022]

Excellent. Jack Webb would love your dry, fact-filled analysis and I do, too.

[@naes6843]

Bruce John Shourt - And my appreciation of Brother Webb’s acting, dates my “already retired from piloting” 3500 hours. Dave in Phoenix Arizona USA

[@chrism3872]

Paul Bertorelli - I like your style! Excellent and fair review of a work in progress....

[@regressmenot]

Beautiful aircraft but what stood out for me in this video was the DA50 fuel burn. 9 GPH at 181 kts... Wow!

[@FrankDyke]

Yup, that strikes me as the future there: fixed gear, 180 kts w/ a fuel burn like an Arrow and buying Jet A instead of 100 LL, I think Diamond has a winner for flight schools and a whole lot of GA.

[@tropicthndr]

Yea great accept the wingspan on the DA50rg is so wide it hogs the other parking spots on either side of the plane and also won’t fit inside a standard T hangar because of the width.

[@regressmenot]

@@tropicthndr Interesting, I wasn't aware of that.

[@altergreenhorn]

Its diesel and Pipistrel have all ready a hybrid and full elictric plane in owen. BTW first choice for panthera engine was also in 9 GPH range unfortaly supplier did not want to certificate it for a car gasoline which was for pipistrel as global company a vital option they were forced to change the engine .

[@ictpilot]

@@tropicthndr The new ones I believe have winglets. I think it will fit in a standard hanger now.

[@ThomasGrillo]

That's one gorgeous looking plane. The cockpit reminds me of the F-111's cockpit canopy. Thanks for sharing this.

[@rigilchrist]

After all the years of sitting in it at Friedrichshafen, it's terrific to see you flying it. I enjoyed just sitting in it!

[@esquisito83]

Great start for the day. Mike Patey posted a new video and Bertorelli reviewed the Panthera

[@12sin8]

😮 It's been so long that I had given up on this plane! I hope they eventually revive the electric version they were originally planning.

[@TecnamTwin]

Agreed! Looking forward to the next generation of electric aircraft finally arriving.

[@CyberSystemOverload]

The best aviation presenter! Paul rules, totally no-nonsense, says it like it is. More of his reviews please! As for the plane , it needs a 850shp turboprop.

[@karlsandin4515]

AeroNevin that’s what a TBM Is for haha

[@sharonbraselton4302]

wrónge

[@giorgiokolaj2192]

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L airplane! I'm heading out to play the lotto.

[@jamesburns2232]

Hope you win the lottery son you can buy two Panthera's and give me one too!

[@Adam-ie8ed]

lol same

[@videosforcatsanddogs214]

Might as well buy Bitcoin at this time haha

[@thomasanderson7454]

Thanks for the great review! I’d love to buy one under 500k. So many of us have been following it’s development for years, I wouldn’t be surprised if the backlog for certified aircraft gets to be several years with high dealer premiums. In any case it is a beautiful breath of fresh air for GA!

[@immortaljatt05]

7:35 Paul is killing me with his comedy lol XD

[@MrWATCHthisWAY]

I believe when operating the engine at higher than recommended head temperatures the maintenance costs will eat into an owners pocketbook greater than expected or may cause premature engine failures, but heck it does have the ballistic parachute for that scenario just in case. She’s a beauty and I can’t argue that with a price tag to match she’s of my class.

[@speedomars]

Aircraft engines are made to run hotter...if you shock cool them or run them cold you kill them.

[@MrWATCHthisWAY]

Speedo Mars - if you bring the cooling temp up slowly with radiator cooling for the heads it seems to manage the engine temps quite well. But like you mentioned any shock cooling will defiantly do damage to any metal being an engine or just a piece of metal. When you change the mechanical properties of the metal with essentially heat treating the metal it will deform.

[@paulo7200]

Cowl flaps maybe?

[@bobjohn2000]

@@speedomars Shock cooling is a myth lmao

[@speedomars]

@@bobjohn2000 Have you seen a cracked cylinder or head from shock cooling? I have seen dozens of them. You lack experience.

[@richardwylie07]

This is the plane I've been waiting for... and the Epic. Finally they are both here!!

[@speedomars]

Neither is unique or will sell. The Epic is millions...this plane is a weak version of a Cirrus SR22 non turbo.

[@richardwylie07]

@@speedomars How could you possibly know what is affordable to me or what my preferred mission is? Just because you have a view... doesn't mean its the right one... or even worth hearing.

[@tropicthndr]

I bet it’s not the price you’ve been waiting for, you can get “two Piper Mirages” on Controller for what they want. Bet your Girlfriend would want a plane with executive cabin class interior with walk in stairs instead of this pipistrel overpriced toy.

[@richardwylie07]

tropicthndr Wife actually. All the best to you!!

[@LukaT]

Beauty in its purest form! Fantastic aeroplane!

[@RR-kl6sl]

At 16.32 it says the Diamond DA50 would do 181kts at 9 GPH, that might be a little optimistic. The DA50 does 172 kts at 10000 ft on MAX power at 15.9 GPH and 127 knots at 8 GPH at 10000ft.

[@sergbaz19]

The best Panthera review! Thank you!

[@terrancestodolka4829]

Nice to see modern aircraft of the 21 century!

[@imagineaworld]

Thanks for the well wishes at the end paul. We need it badly.

[@JohnBaileyDarke]

A very kind review, especially considering that center post and glare shield gloss over as something you can get used to through "some adaptation". Note that even fighter jets take exception to the "frontal drag" by putting the pilot in a position that allows for a complete and unencumbered view in all directions, especially straight ahead whether flying or moving around the airport. The gear doors (all 11 of them) are an impressive engineering feat. The manufacturers attention to detail in reducing drag is great, but not having speed brakes along with a relatively slow 106 knot gear down speed is going to present significant pilot challenges in slowing down without shock cooling that Lycoming up front. The aircrafts profile is clearly impressive. Sleek and smooth. But the trade offs in ingress and egress, forward visibility and flying at such an inclined position may not sit well with owners who care more about these factors than ramp appeal. Dissipating all the heat generated during a climb out was noted in the review. Perhaps also a result of placing too much emphasis on sleekness and not enough on practicalities.

[@swiper1818]

Looks like a beautiful and highly competent aircraft - interested how it finally pans out!

[@spiro5327]

Excellent review Paul, thank you. As far as 2020 being almost over, well we might be in for more of the same next year.

[@zapfanzapfan]

2022 isn't exactly better either...

[@leifhall2289]

Thou I really like the IO-540 I regret that they had to choose it. I had two of them in the old PA-23 from the 1960's that I used to have. An aeroplane like the Panthera, shurly deserves a more modern power-plant!

[@tropicthndr]

Being an experimental class plane, you should be able to order the power plant of your choice instead of a lame ass factory engine. Something from “Pinnacle” without turbos could easily push this plane past the 200knot mark.

[@dtoften]

I was hoping for more efficiency in nm/lb due to the amount of work & time that Pipistrel has placed into this airplane. As for cost, Pipistrel is usually cheaper than traditional airplanes but the delays & engine change have increased this. I don't know if this will be a good seller based on the info presented.

[@altergreenhorn]

They changed engine because supplier did not want to certificate it for a car gasoline. That is a main reason for almost 2 year delaying and cause a slightly less fuel efficiency

[@speedomars]

What Pipistrel is cheaper? They are all priced at the market level for their niche.

[@oppopooop3058]

Great review. Easy to follow and understand. Thank you

[@mikeryan6277]

2021 hasn’t been much better.

[@brianb5594]

Sweet ride and great review as always Paul! The challenge will be ramp up on certified maintenance shops and dealer network where Cirrus is the king. Cirrus has 20 year head start as well but hopefully these guys can be competitive. If I had the coin to buy one of these I would get a used SR2-G3 for a lot less with AC and TKS, and no I don’t work for Cirrus. 😊

[@jeffkunkler3842]

I'm not a pilot but love flying. I'm an engineer and love hearing from someone who knows what they're talking about. Cheers!

[@sirbongsalot134]

You’re not an engineer.

[@MLMLML000]

Great video. Great presenter.

[@jeff2235]

That's a slick airplane- I guess we're supposed to like it, but I don't like the high temp. of the engine heads while climbing and I don't like it's obstructed visibility.

[@andreschapero3615]

Excellent review..... Brilliant !

[@philipgledhill7227]

Brilliant buddy what a outstanding plane. It looks amazing buddy. Would love to fly it phil. Happy new year to you buddy and good luck for the rest of the year phil. 👍2021.

[@mountainmandale1587]

That's a beautiful machine!!! I know what I want when I grow up!!!

[@superduper1917]

HD playback options are increased. Nice!

[@hogey74]

OK it's Friday arvo where I am and it's half past drinks o'clock. So maybe it's not completely outlandish that when I saw the headline and that Bertorelli was doing the long-awaited review... I got a good feeling about this one!

[@rosworld9129]

“Any other options?” Wtf! That thing is like a starship!... especially compared to the 777 I fly for a living😂

[@purbanjalidas6449]

love this ❤️panthera.. beautiful aircraft!

[@generalrendar7290]

This has been my dream "I won the lottery!" plane for years.

[@classicraceruk1337]

Very informative report, thanks for doing this

[@harryagrotis326]

Great review !!!

[@pilotdane1]

In my opinion, I don't think the price is that bad - Being as a brand new Cessna 172 SP - Nicely equipped is well over $400,000 - Which blows my mind.... being honest....

[@tropicthndr]

No it’s Lunacy and makes no sense for what they are trying to ask for this plane. You can get a Piper Mirage on Controller with “very low time” for half the price, the Mirage is twice the plane in capability with private jet cabin class interior. That means you can get “”two Mirages”” for the price Pipistrel is trying to get for their certified version. It’s just dumb beyond all reasoning, maybe they think all those ridiculous gear doors make it worth it, such a joke.

[@christianjforbes]

The more I see these new aircraft prices, the more an RV10 looks like a bargain. Or a nice vintage Bonanza is even cheaper.

[@pilotdane1]

@@christianjforbes I know right... I probably should have worded my reply above better - bottom line, when a brand new Cessna 172SP is well over $400,000 - it sure is keeping most of us out of being able to afford what should be a 30k airplane....

[@sharonbraselton4302]

giid plane orice cénnsa is

[@ARyanCoke]

@@tropicthndryeah makes no sense. You can get 4 viruses for this price. Sure the virus is 40 knots slower but come on. Who would pay 300000 for 40 knots. Go get a Ravin 500 for half the price and get a +2000 nm range.

[@PenAirPilot]

:) mmmmmm I loved that Pawnee taxiing by.... Even though she's missing a few parts, that Metroliner sure looked sleek and nice ; Oh.. that expensive piston in the front of the frame is ok too.... ;)

[@alfredos.5988]

Great video!

[@abhishekdev258]

BMW of general aviation.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

wrong flyibg çars cheaper

[@VonSpud]

Looks great ...

[@charltonevans6833]

We’ve been looking for a project like this to help certify. Incremental improvements in material application and subsequently performance are the only realistic approaches with the FAA. Unfortunately the man hours alone required for certification are so burdensome that it’s a major (not the only) driver of product price.

[@airgliderz]

Great honest review of a great plane. They need to fix the cooling issue at power climbing. With all that carbon it should be much lighter.

[@CarterHancock]

Almost $700k airplanes still can't have any kind of anti-ice? Given that price with all those pretty avionics just waiting to fly in IMC, I don't understand why it's so difficult to add a couple of what are basically seat heaters to the leading edge surfaces. GA has always struck me as trying to be safe in IMC, then taking little precautions against ice other than "don't fly in it" which is super unhelpful IMO. Rant over lol.

[@flantc]

This is partial what killed the Cessna 400 (aka the Columbia 400 / aka Cessna TTx Model T240). It had an optional anti icing system that was not rated for flight into known icing conditions. It eventually got a true anti icing TKS system as an option in 2014 but Cirrus had too much momentum by the time Cessna added it. At least the Panthera has a BRS which the Cessna 400 never had.

[@CarterHancock]

@@flantc I remember hearing about that. That's another issue I have, if you're gonna put on anti-icing, why do it half-assed? Make those leading edges hot as hell and melt it all off. I may not be an engineer but the fact it's such a huge killer in aviation with a simple solution that isn't implemented baffles me.

[@ictpilot]

@@flantc Keep the chute, give me the extra useful load and weight savings.

[@tropicthndr]

@@ictpilot I used to say that until coming head on into idiots flying the wrong way at uncontrolled airports not using their radios in the pattern. It’s not about engine failure, it’s about hitting that loser in the pattern going the wrong way close to the ground.

[@ictpilot]

@@tropicthndr I'll still take it without the chute. Can't get rid of all risk in flying.

[@stalinkoba3366]

The plane is certainly above all praise! I wonder if it is used as a sightseeing tourist, does the wing interfere with admiring the view?

[@richardfenner6096]

Great report! Thank you!

[@kylehelmke2066]

Slap a TAE engine in it, FADEC, FIKI, and you’ve just won the market.

[@v.e.7236]

Is this your own code? What does it all mean?

[@AClark-gs5gl]

@@v.e.7236 its greek...

[@quidestnunc9238]

I know FADEC & FIKI. What is TAE ? Oh, wait, I know ! Technological As Eggplant ! (I bet you subscribed as a child to SI (rather than Sports Illustrated...magazine.) 👦👩

[@BlueBaron3339]

Nice plane but that sales guy reminded me of Paul Reiser's character from the movie, Aliens. And while I agree with Paul's general assessment of its beauty, not a one of these plastic airplanes has the stateliness and grace of, say, a cabin Waco 🤩

[@MattMorris481]

I live in Inverness didn’t think avweb would have a reason to come here.

[@slingbuilduk400]

Great review and love the Pipistrel Panthera. It truly is a next gen aircraft, just need a next gen powerplant 😁

[@flexairz]

There is no next gen power source. Liquid rulez.

[@jomomma8754]

Mechanics are going to love pulling that cooling shroud off

[@CharlieBIV]

Excellent review!!!!!!!!

[@savethedeveloper]

Another unaffordable aircraft. Keep 'em coming

[@safetyinstructor]

Totally agree. I understand aircraft are expensive but this is so expensive (good config.) some people won't be able to pay this off in their lifetime.

[@chrism3872]

I think being made of Carbon fiber and Kevlar with a large engine and very nice avionics is what drives the price, not to mention retractable gear. "Sophistication" is expensive, relatively speaking.

[@RichWellner]

Cirrus are more and are, by far, the best selling planes in the class.

[@scotabot7826]

I'll take the Bird Dog thank you! Ha Ha.. Great video of a sleek airplane!

[@mikeryan6277]

Nice plane, if I ever have 3/4 of a mil to spend on a plane I will consider it.

[@Big.Ron1]

I am pretty well sold on the DA-50 with intentions to own a DA-62 in a few years. However I think this airplane will deserve a close look if they can get it to market anytime soon. Thank you and be safe.

[@teamfutabaspeedfresh8339]

Nice work man awesome keep it coming

[@evidenceplz]

AvWeb is a legend

[@brookrestall3274]

Good stuff Paul. Thank you, sir. Volume seems a bit lower than usual though. Lower than all other vids I've watched today anyway. Just FYI.

[@KTWardlaw]

Good review! Been to that Airport!😎👍

[@BK-it6te]

Very well explained well done so clever, what you do for living?

[@HugAviation]

Great review and nice voice crack at 16:25 😉

[@rocktakesover]

Do you have a list of these. That would be pretty hilarious of you did.

[@rudranathtalukdar3196]

I sat in it but didn’t fly it. It’s a beautiful plane but hard to get into and out of the front seats and the baggage compartment is shaped for form, not function

[@samviation]

Hope they bring the hybrid option because the DA50 is high on the list currently

[@sharonbraselton4302]

yes

[@danielforde-pogson]

Great video. Always learning something new...like how the heck do you design a new prop? Clever stuff.

[@bikersoncall]

Beautiful plane!

[@ShuRugal]

I can see from the performance numbers, parachute, and fuel economy that they are aiming to take a bite out of Cirrus's market. If they could knock 30% off that price, they might even do it. It's been my experience that most people who have Cirrus money don't care how much fuel it burns. It will definitely knock a chunk out of Mooney's market share, though, which makes me a little sad. Mooney was the original leader of the "maximum bang for buck" trend - the fact that my 1964 C model will cruise at 145 KTAS on 8-9 GPH while nothing certified, even brand new, today even comes close to that shows how well they succeeded... shame they have not chosen to capitalize on that position.

[@speedomars]

This plane is positioned to go after the Cirrus SR22 non turbo. It won't sell more than a hundred copies.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

wrong

[@ShuRugal]

@@sharonbraselton4302 wrong

[@milesj6064]

that is a nice airplane, but at the 3:30 mark the Metro in the background is the airplane from our company being scrapped, interesting to see a airplane from Canada in this video. But back to the Pipistrel hope to see it certified soon

[@Swaggerlot]

I still have the hots for the Bellanca Viking; just think what they could have done with composites on that aircraft. Never retract gear until there is insufficient runway remaining.

[@hogey74]

Back to watch this again in March 2021. Just wishing Tine was giving the run down...

[@halllwd94]

I'm hoping they Hybrid Engine hits strong. It'll be used enough for me to buy once I'm looking at buying a plane

[@sharonbraselton4302]

buy it

[@jamesm6830]

1:03 Looks like an angry aeroplane version of Thomas the Tank Engine

[@jsteiger2228]

God it's gorgeous.

[@jeremyvi]

They should have worked harder on the logo, the panthera, remind me this sportswear logo seen on every summer t-shirts...

[@garrygballard8914]

How about a review of JBM’s VL3 ?

[@tropicthndr]

Yea that plane is cool but the Rotax engine is just dumb with all the extra water cooling stupidity and gear reduction nonsense and no power. It would have hit it out of the park with a UL power six cyl engine.

[@Ashwin-zg7rt]

So beautiful. Hope to own one and fly it someday

[@sharonbraselton4302]

hief haß it

[@DanFrederiksen]

hmm, didn't know Diamond DA50 was that relatively efficient. And able to drink Jet A. In a class of portly 1 tonners. Can't say I agree the 540 is a good engine choice. More like a massively overpriced junker from the 1950s and their only option. At 670, it's not the revolution it promised to be. A turbo and oxygen might help it stand out. Get it up to altitude it might just do 500km/h and then it's different story. That could swing some Cirrus folks perhaps. Little concerned about the visibility. A good front camera could help that.

[@xsifax]

I'm going to go see it in a couple of weeks

[@monsenrm]

What do you wanna bet this turns out to be a million dollar airplane after certification?

[@venusreena2532]

Paul details this plane very well.. Turbo diesel in the Panthera would be nice too

[@Jetairplane]

Beautiful aircraft with an advanced cockpit and airfoil design, but still burns 100LL.

[@MrDitrih1]

Очень интересно и информативно! Спасибо!

[@andrewallason4530]

Would love to see the Panthera with decent speed (around 300-330kn) and range (1700nm) worthy of it’s appearance. It is a gorgeous airframe, but it let down by it’s actual capabilities.

[@jrstuckey1471]

I gotta meet Paul this year coming.

[@buckstarchaser2376]

I'll take mine with a "Dime Slime" green paintjob please. It will look nice on my Far Above Drivers tour.

[@neomatrix3612]

Gorgeous

[@shinybaldy]

With this and all their other drone and even formula 1 aspirations, aren’t there concerns that they’re going to overstretch themselves and delay production again

[@triedproven9908]

They need to redesign the cowlings and add a turbo, my guess is they couldn't keep the temps down without sacrificing power. Certainly for the price it should be over 300hp. Other than that and visibility this is a fantastic bird.

[@charliegreen5781]

What's with Pipistrel's model's names, "Sinus", "Virus". What's next the "Plague"? Beautiful aircraft though.

[@ronlawrence5021]

3/4 of one million dollars for a 2020 model of one of these in 2022. Think about that. And before you start regaling us with how amazingly advanced this airplane is....just realize you can buy two brand new Lamborghini Countachs for what you'll pay for a two year old Panthera. Methinks someone is making bucketloads of profit from people with more money than common sense.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

yes can buy 2 lamghinis

[@PilotDaveLI]

It's gorgeous. But such a small number of the already small number of pilots can afford any new plane it's too bad. Hopefully someone can enjoy it. I'm stuck in my 1970 Cardinal. 😁