Asso Aerei
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Giuseppe (Bepi) Vidor |
| Headquarters | Italy , Italy |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Giuseppe (Bepi) Vidor (founder) |
| Products | Light and ultralight aircraft designs, homebuilt aircraft kits and plans |
Asso Aerei Srl (known in English as Ace Aircraft Limited) was an Italian company specializing in the design of light and ultralight aircraft. It was established by Giuseppe (Bepi) Vidor, who passed away on 23 September 2013 at the age of 72. Vidor, originally a carpenter, pursued engineering studies during evening classes. His aircraft designs are predominantly wooden and most feature tricycle landing gear. These aircraft are typically constructed at home using plans or minimal kits. The brand is also referred to as Vidor Asso.
Aircraft
- Asso I
- This model is a side-by-side two-seat taildragger inspired by the Piel Super Emeraude, with one unit built in 1980. It is alternatively called RD 95, named after Robert Denize, a friend and consultant to Vidor who had worked alongside Claude Piel. Another example crafted by Vidor took its maiden flight in 1984.
- Asso II
- A four-seat aircraft also known as RD 30V; it never flew due to the imposition of an Italian luxury tax based on aircraft weight.
- Asso III
- Designed as an ultralight to circumvent the luxury tax, this model is a lighter derivative of the Asso I. Numerous kits were sold.
- Asso IV Whisky
- A tandem two-seat taildragger equipped with either fixed or retractable main landing gear. (It is sometimes referred to as Aerostar.)
- Asso V Champion
- A two-seat side-by-side configuration featuring fixed or retractable landing gear introduced in 1995. This design was produced by Alpi Aviation using composite skin panels under the name Pioneer 300.
- Asso V Jolly
- A lower-powered variant of the V Champion model.
- Asso V X-Ray
- A side-by-side seating version derived from the IX Warrior.
- Asso VI Junior
- This simplified iteration of the III features fixed landing gear and includes a glider variant with an extended wingspan.
- Asso VI Evolution
- A further development of the Junior model, incorporating a shorter wingspan, flaps, and a sliding canopy.
- Asso VII
- Asso VIII Centauro
- A scale replica of the Fiat G.55 based on the IV Whisky airframe.
- Asso IX Warrior
- A two-seat tandem retractable gear aerobatic touring aircraft.
- Asso X Jewel
- A tandem two-seater with laminar flow wings evolved from the V Champion. This model was further developed into the all-composite Millennium Master (2006), which subsequently led to the Blackshape Prime (2007) and Pelegrin Tarragon designs.
- Asso XI Sprint
- The production version of the VI Junior featuring a steel tube fuselage, introduced in 2003.
- Asso XIV Spitfire
- A scale replica of the Supermarine Spitfire, derived from the IV Whisky platform.
- Asso XV Sword
- A two-seat side-by-side retractable gear touring aircraft.
Unfinished projects
- Asso XVI
- A two-seat tandem aircraft featuring a rear-mounted pusher engine.
- Asso XVIB
- Equipped with dual Wankel engines powering a single propeller.
- Asso XVII
- A side-by-side seating variant of the X Jewel model.
- Asso XVIIB
- Another side-by-side configuration based on the X Jewel design.