iKarus C42 Owner's manual

C42 Pilot Operating Handbook
PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK
for the aircraft IKARUS C 42 Series
Modell Nr. C42 / C42B / C42C / C42E / C42CS
LTZ-Nr. 61141 / 61141.1 / 61141.5 / 61141.6 / 61141.7
Type IKARUS C42 Series
Airplane Serial-No. _____________________________
Reference: POH C42 Series
Issue 4 - Rev.5
23.08.2019
This handbook is to be kept in the aircraft at all times.
The described options of the C42 Series use are certified for Germany and
have been tested in Germany.
Please note that for using the C42 Series as a tow plane for towing gliders,
towing aerial signs or decanting sky divers, different regulations may apply in
different countries. Please contact your local authorities for further clarification.

POH Issue 4 Rev. 5 Page 2 of 91
RECORD OF MANUAL REVISIONS
No.
Issue
No. Description of Changes Date Signature
1 4 Model C42CS added 02.11.2015 A. Kurz
2 4 Cooling system added 02.11.2015 A. Kurz
3 4 Rev.1 Empty weight centre of
gravity deleted 20.11.2015 A. Kurz
4 4 Rev.1 Weight and Balance modify 20.01.2016 A. Kurz
5 4 Rev.2 Circuit diagram updated 02.12.2016 R. Neie
6 4 Rev.3 Page 76 - change LiFe
battery 07.02.2017 A. Kurz
7 4 Rev.4 Page 91 - Circuit diagram
update 26.07.2017 A. Kurz
8 4 Rev. 5
Page 45 - Step 10 added
Page 46 - Point 4 added
Page 48 - 14.4 extended
Page 76 - new OVP
Change flaps 0/1/2 to I/II/III
23.08.2019 H. Lieb

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Manufacturer Contact Information
COMCO IKARUS GmbH
Am Flugplatz 11
88367 Hohentengen / Swabia
Germany
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: post@comco - ikarus.de
Owner 1. ________________________________
2. ________________________________
3. ________________________________
4. ________________________________
This Pilot Operating Handbook belongs to the aircraft with
serial-No._________________ and is to be kept in the aircraft at all times.

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Introduction
C42 series aircraft are built in compliance with the airworthiness requirements
of various countries and are certified as Microlight, Ultralight, Advanced
Ultralight and Light Sport Aircraft.
To operate the aircraft the pilot must hold a license or certificate appropriate
to this category of aircraft. The aircraft is not to be flown unless it is
registered, carries registration markings in accordance with the
requirements of the country in which the aircraft is to be flown, and has a
Permit to Fly or certificate of Airworthiness valid in the country of operation.
The aircraft is to be flown under daytime VFR conditions. Flights in other
conditions than daytime VFR without the correct aircraft equipment and pilot
ratings is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury or death.
Pilots holding licences for other categories, even higher ones, are required to
be checked out by an appropriately qualified instructor prior to flying this
aircraft as it possesses characteristics that are unique to light sport type
aircraft. These characteristics include low inertia, susceptibility to turbulence
and wind gradient and special engine considerations.
The safety of all occupants, the aircraft and persons on the ground are the
sole responsibility of the Pilot in command. Do not operate this aircraft in a
manner that would endanger the occupants, the aircraft or persons on the
ground.

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Bear in mind that the engines used in C42 aircraft are not certified aviation
engines and thus may not offer the same safety standards found in other
classes of aircraft. Prepare your flight so that you can always reach an
emergency landing area should you experience engine failure. On cross
country flights, ALWAYS keep an emergency landing field in sight.
Changes to the control system, structure,
wings and engine are prohibited.
These changes would invalidate any certificate of airworthiness or permit to
fly and as such would result in an insurance becoming null and void.
All operating difficulties and equipment failures should be reported to your
dealer or the manufacturer.
For fire safety reasons, smoking is prohibited on board of the aircraft.

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Three side view: IKARUS C42 Series
IKARUS C42

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IKARUS C42B / C42E (C42B LSA)

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IKARUS C42C

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IKARUS C42CS

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Title page .................................................................................................... -
Record of Manual Revisions ...................................................................... 2
Manufacturer Contact Information ............................................................. 3
Introductory remarks .................................................................................. 4
Three-side view.......................................................................................... 5
Table of contents ....................................................................................... 8
1 Operating limitations ........................................................................ 13
1.1 Airspeeds ....................................................................................... 13
1.2 Weights .......................................................................................... 13
1.3 Structural limitations ...................................................................... 14
1.4 Center of gravity limits ................................................................... 14
1.5 Airspeed markings ......................................................................... 14
1.6 Engine rpm limitations ................................................................... 15
1.7 Rpm indicator markings ................................................................. 15
1.8 Flap settings .................................................................................. 15
1.9 Propellers for Rotax 912 UL .......................................................... 16
1.10 Propellers for Rotax 912 ULS ........................................................ 18
1.11 Engine limitations .......................................................................... 20
2 Kinds of operation limitations ......................................................... 21
3 Operation of the Engine ................................................................... 21
4 Flight Operations .............................................................................. 23
4.1 Taxiing ........................................................................................... 23
4.2 Take-off and climb ......................................................................... 23
4.3 Cruising flight ................................................................................. 25
4.4 Turning flight .................................................................................. 25
4.5 Stalls .............................................................................................. 26
4.6 Descent and landing ...................................................................... 27
4.7 Shutting down the engine .............................................................. 27
4.8 Sudden loss of engine power ........................................................ 28
4.9 Using the optional cowl flap on the aircraft C42 ............................ 29
4.10 Emergency procedures ................................................................. 30

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5 Ground Handling .............................................................................. 32
5.1 Towing ........................................................................................... 32
5.2 Hoisting .......................................................................................... 32
5.3 Parking........................................................................................... 33
5.4 Tie-Down ....................................................................................... 33
6 Minimum equipment ......................................................................... 35
7 Dimensions ....................................................................................... 35
8 Weight and balance .......................................................................... 36
8.1 Loading plan .................................................................................. 37
9 Data placard and checklist .............................................................. 38
10 “Before take-off” checklist .............................................................. 39
11 Approved equipment ........................................................................ 40
12 Flight performance ........................................................................... 42
12.1 Take-off distance ........................................................................... 42
12.2 Rate of climb Rotax 912 UL Rotax 912 ULS ................................ 42
12.3 Cruising speed (solo) ..................................................................... 43
12.4 Engine off performance (solo) ....................................................... 43
13 Attaching the wings.......................................................................... 44
13.1 Attaching the wings to the fuselage ............................................... 44
13.2 Folding the wings for hangaring .................................................... 46
14 Pre-flight inspection ......................................................................... 47
14.1 Engine............................................................................................ 47
14.2 Landing gear .................................................................................. 47
14.3 Left wing ........................................................................................ 48
14.4 Left side of fuselage ...................................................................... 48
14.5 Empennage ................................................................................... 49
14.6 Right side of fuselage .................................................................... 49
14.7 Right wing ...................................................................................... 49
14.8 Cabin, inside and outside .............................................................. 49
14.9 Instruments .................................................................................... 50
14.10 Drainage ........................................................................................ 50
15 Care and maintenance ..................................................................... 51

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16 Rigging data ...................................................................................... 53
17 Information for ultralights with towing device .............................. 57
17.1 Equipment of the towing aircraft .................................................... 57
17.2 Operating limitations ...................................................................... 58
17.3 Flight characteristics and performance ......................................... 60
17.4 Placards ......................................................................................... 62
17.5 Emergency procedures during towing ........................................... 62
18 Inspection and maintenance intervals ........................................... 64
19 Special features of the aircraft equipped for handicapped pilots71
20 Flying the IKARUS C42 Series with removed doors ..................... 73
21 Additional instructions for dropping skydivers ............................ 73
22 Instructions for the use of the LiFe-Battery ................................... 75
23 COMCO IKARUS Manufacturer Warranty....................................... 77
24 Appendix ........................................................................................... 81
24.1 Placards ......................................................................................... 81
24.2 Data placard .................................................................................. 82
24.3 Service Problem Report Form -Aircraft ......................................... 83
24.4 Inspections performed ................................................................... 84
24.5 Location of the parachute rescue system ...................................... 85
24.6 Banner towing ................................................................................ 88
24.7 Circuit diagram .............................................................................. 91

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1 Operating limitations
1.1 Airspeeds
Never-exceed speed
C42 .......................................................................... VNE = 97 kn / 180 km/h
C42B / C42E / C42C ............................................. VNE = 116 kn / 216 km/h
C42CS ................................................................... VNE = 121 kn / 225 km/h
Speed in turbulent air
C42 / C42B / C42E / C42C ....................................... VB = 97 kn / 180 km/h
C42CS .....................................................................VB = 101 kn / 187 km/h
Maximum manoeuver speed
C42 / C42B / C42E / C42C / C42CS ........................ VA = 80 kn / 148 km/h
Speed with landing flap set Vfe
until 2009 ................................................................ VFE = 57 kn / 105 km/h
since 2009 ................................................................ VFE = 63 kn / 117 km/h
Stall speed
Flap position I: ....................................................... VS = 40 kn / 75 km/h
Flap position II: ..................................................... VS1 = 38 kn / 70 km/h
Flap position III: .................................................... VS0 = 35 kn / 65 km/h
If VA speed is exceeded, only little rudder movement are allowed.
1.2 Weights
Maximum take-off weight: ............................................... 992 lbs / 450,0 kg
Maximum take-off weight with
installed rescue system ................................................ 1041 lbs / 472,5 kg
Empty weight (see last Weight and Balance plan) .......................... lbs / kg
Minimum payload: (see last Weight and Balance plan) .......144 lbs / 65 kg

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1.3 Structural limitations
Positive limit load factor ........................................................................ +4 g
Negative limit load factor ....................................................................... -2 g
1.4 Center of gravity limits
Reference datum ................................... Wing leading edge at a rib station
Forward center of gravity ...................... 11.8 inches (300 mm) aft of datum
Rearward center of gravity .................... 22.0 inches (560 mm) aft of datum
1.5 Airspeed markings
until 2009
white arc .............................................................. 38 - 57 kn / 71 - 105 km/h
since 2009
white arc .............................................................. 38 - 63 kn / 71 - 117 km/h
Green arc
C42 / C42B / C42E / C42C ................................. 43 - 97 kn / 79 - 180 km/h
C42CS .............................................................. 43 - 101 kn / 79 - 187 km/h
Yellow arc:
C42B / C42E / C42C ....................................... 97 - 116 kn / 180 - 216 km/h
C42CS .......................................................... 101 - 121 kn / 187 - 225 km/h
Yellow triangle:.......................................................... VX = 54 kn / 100 km/h
Yellow line: ................................................................ VA = 75 kn / 148 km/h
Red line:
C42 ......................................................................... VNE = 97 kn / 180 km/h
C42B / C42E / C42C ............................................. VNE = 116 kn / 216 km/h
C42CS .................................................................. VNE = 121 kn / 225 km/h
ATTENTION: C42 - No yellow area! → VB = VNE

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The deviation curve for the airspeed indicator can be interpolated from the
following table
IAS
kn 33
38 43 49 54 60 65 70 76 81 86 92 97 103 108
EAS
kn 35
41 45 49 54 59 63 68 72 77 151 86 91 96 100
IAS
km/h
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200
EAS
km/h
65 74 83 91 100 109 117 125 134 142 151 160 168 177 185
1.6 Engine rpm limitations
Maximum engine rpm ...................................... n = 5800 1/min, 5 min. max
Maximum continuous rpm .................................................... n = 5500 1/min
1.7 Rpm indicator markings
Yellow arc ................................................................. n = 5500 - 5800 1/min
Red line ................................................................................ n = 5800 1/min
1.8 Flap settings
Position I: ......................................................................................... cruising
Position II: ......................................................................... take-off / landing
Position III: ....................................................................................... landing

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1.9 Propellers for Rotax 912 UL
With propeller WARP DRIVE 2-blade,
constant speed, 68” Ø (1,72 m),
pitch 23.5° at 15.75 inches (400 mm) from hub,
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 5200 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 2300 1/min
With propeller WARP DRIVE 3-blade,
68” Ø (1,72 m),
pitch 21.0° at 15.75 inches (400 mm) from hub,
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 5200 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 2300 1/min
With propeller Sport-Prop 3-blade,
68” Ø (1,72 m),
pitch 19.5° at 15.75 inches (400 mm) from hub,
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 4900 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 2150 1/min
With propeller GSC 3-blade,
68” Ø (1,72 m),
pitch 21.0° at 15.75 inches (400 mm) from hub,
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 4900 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 2150 1/min

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With propeller Neuform CR2-75 2-blade,
69” Ø (1,75 m),
pitch 27.0° at r = 14.37 inches (365 mm),
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 5100 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 2250 1/min
With propeller Neuform CR3-75 3-blade,
69” Ø (1,72 m),
pitch 24.0° at r = 14.37 inches (365 mm),
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 4800 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 2100 1/min
With propeller Kiev Prop BB 263/1700 3-blade,
67” Ø (1,71 m),
pitch 22,0° at 15.75 inches (400 mm) from hub,
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 4800 1/min
propeller rpm ........................................................... approx. n = 2100 1/min
With propeller Helix H50F-1,75m-R-SI-12-3 3-blade,
69” Ø (1,75 m),
Pitch. 16.0° at r = 25.82 inches (656 mm)
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 4880 1/min
propeller rpm ........................................................... approx. n = 2150 1/min

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1.10 Propellers for Rotax 912 ULS
With propeller WARP DRIVE 3-blade,
68” Ø (1,72 m),
pitch 25.0° at 15.75 inches (400 mm) from hub,
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 5200 1/min
Propeller rpm ........................................................... approx. n =2150 1/min
With propeller GSC 3-blade,
68” Ø (1,72 m),
pitch 25.0° at 15.75 inches (400 mm) from hub,
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 4900 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 2000 1/min
With propeller Neuform CR3-75 3-blade,
69” Ø (1,75 m),
pitch 27.0° at r = 14.37 inches (365 mm),
full throttle rpm on the ground ........................................... max. 4900 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 2000 1/min
With propeller Neuform CR3-V-R2H 3-blade,
69” Ø (1,75 m), adjustable,
pitch 16° - 30° at r = 29.53 inches (750 mm),
full throttle rpm on the ground ................................ max. 4200 - 5600 1/min
Propeller rpm ............................................... approx. n = 1700 - 2300 1/min
With propeller Kiev Prop BB 283/1800 3-blade,
71” Ø (1,80 m),
Pitch 24,0° at r = 15.75 inches (400 mm) from hub,
full throttle rpm on the ground .......................................... max. 4900 1/min
Propeller rpm ......................................................... approx. n = 2000 1/min

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With propeller Helix H50F-1,75m-R-S-14-3 3-blade,
69” Ø (1,75 m),
Pitch 17.0° at r = 25.82 inches (656 mm)
full throttle rpm on the ground ....................................... approx. 4800 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 1975 1/min
With propeller DUC-Flash-1,75m-3-blade,
1,75 m Ø),
Pitch 23,5° at r = 0,66 mm
full throttle rpm on the ground ....................................... approx. 5250 1/min
Propeller rpm .......................................................... approx. n = 2160 1/min

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1.11 Engine limitations
According to the ROTAX operating manual
ROTAX 912 ROTAX 912S
Take-off (5 min) 81 hp / 5800 1/min 100 hp / 5800 1/min
Continuous 79 hp / 5500 1/min 95 hp / 5500 1/min
75% 59 hp / 5000 1/min 69 hp / 5000 1/min
65% 51 hp / 4800 1/min 61 hp / 4800 1/min
55% 43 hp / 4300 1/min 51 hp / 4300 1/min
Type of oil AERO Shell Sport Plus 4
(resp. ROTAX operating manual)
Amount of oil min 0.57 imp. gallons (2.6 l)
max 0.67 imp. gallons (3.05 l)
Oil temperature min 122°F (50°C) min 122°F (50°C)
max 284°F (140°C) max 266°F (130°C)
optimum 194°-230°F (90°-110°C)
Oil pressure: normal operating pressure 29 - 72 psi (2 - 5 bar)
(cold start 101.45 psi/7 bar)
Fuel: Euro-Super ROZ 95 unleaded (DIN EN 228 with max. 5% ethanol)
Super Plus ROZ 98 unleaded (DIN EN 228 with max. 5% ethanol)
AVGAS 100 LL
AVGAS UL91
Fuel pressure 2.17 - 5.80 psi (0.15 - 0.4 bar)
Cylinder head temp. max 302°F (150°C) max. 275°F (135°C)
optimum 230°F (110°C) optimum 230°F (110°C)
Coolant temperature: max.248°F (120°C) optimal 212°F (100°C)
Magneto check at 4000 1/min
Rpm drop max. 300 1/min