The Ikarus C42 is a single-engined high-wing monoplane with side-by-side seats for two in a wide cabin. The C42 is manufactured with either an
Rotax 912 engine or a Rotax 912s engine. The Rotax engine has a low fuel consumption and relatively low noise. The engine drives the
propeller, which has ground-adjustable
pitch, through a
gearbox with a 2.273:1 reduction
ratio. The aircraft is structurally supported by a backbone of large diameter aluminium tube which runs the length of the aircraft. The cabin and fuselage shell is a
composite material which, being non-structural, can be removed for inspection and repair. The wings are constructed of tubular front and rear
spars. The wings and
flying control surfaces are covered in
Kevlar/
Mylar/
Polyester laminate. The wings can be removed or folded (if an optional folding kit is installed) for storage and transportation. The
wing tips are of composite construction which reduces drag and improves low speed handling. Access to the cabin is provided by two
gull-wing doors.
Controls A single
centre stick controls the
ailerons and
elevators. Electrical
pitch trim is controlled by two buttons on the top of the stick, operated by the thumb. A
push to talk button is on the front of the stick, operated by the index finger, together with a vertical hand-operated brake lever similar to a
motorcycle front brake lever. Rudder pedals are
dual control. The distance from the seat to the pedals is fixed because the seat position is not adjustable. of Airbourne Aviation arrives at the 2018
RIAT, England The dual control throttle levers are situated between the legs, and pivot from side to side so can be folded out of the way making entry and exit of the aircraft easier. The flaps are controlled by a centrally mounted lever on the roof of the cabin. The relatively short lever does make the operation of lowering flaps quite physical when combined with holding the centre control stick at the same time. ==Aerotowing==