Skyline SL-122 Bdzhilka

The Skyline SL-122 Bdzhilka (Ukrainian: Бджілка, meaning bee) is a Ukrainian-made twin-engine aircraft specifically developed for agricultural spraying, with its maiden flight occurring in 2010.

Design and development

Purpose-built for aerial crop treatment, the SL-122 features a high-wing monoplane configuration with a straight, constant chord wing and squared-off wingtips. Each wing is supported by a single strut connecting to the lower fuselage. The wing incorporates flaps and automatic leading-edge slats to enhance low-speed handling. Power is provided by two liquid-cooled Rotax 912 ULS2 flat-four engines, each delivering 73.5 kW (approximately 100 hp), positioned just above and ahead of the wing’s leading edge, spaced as closely as the three-blade propeller discs permit.

The aircraft’s fuselage is characterized by a deep, flat-sided design housing two tandem seats within an underwing cabin fully enclosed with glazing for optimal visibility. Its tail assembly consists of a rectangular tailplane mounted atop the fuselage beneath a straight-tapered fin and rudder. The SL-122 employs a fixed conventional landing gear arrangement; main wheels are attached via V-struts hinged to the lower fuselage, supported by half axles with bungee cord suspension. A cantilevered tailwheel provides steering capability.

Equipped with a 250-liter (55 imperial gallons; 66 US gallons) tank for agricultural chemicals, the SL-122 can cover approximately 200 hectares (494 acres) per hour using swath widths of 37 meters (121 feet).

The aircraft’s initial flight took place in May 2010, followed by its first public presentation in Zhytomyr one month later.

Operational history

By 2012, no confirmed sales had been recorded, although the prototype was already available on the market.

Variants

SL-122

Designed as an agricultural aircraft.

SL-124

Intended as a four-seat transport model, not yet flown as of late 2012.

SL-125

Planned amphibious version, also unflown by late 2012.