F-HGTE

F-HGTE is a Pipistrel Virus SW, a single-engine piston aircraft. SkyMeter has tracked 690 flights totalling 267 hours of airtime via ADS-B across 48 callsigns. The most frequent segment is LELL to LELL. Service window in our records spans 351 days. The Pipistrel Virus SW has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,322 lb.

About the Pipistrel Virus SW

The Pipistrel Virus SW is a Slovenian-designed high-performance motorglider that bridges the gap between pure sailplanes and conventional light aircraft. Built by Pipistrel Aircraft of Ajdovščina, Slovenia, and introduced in the mid-2000s, the Virus combines a slender composite fuselage with a high-aspect-ratio wing optimized for both powered cruise and soaring flight. Its 80-horsepower Rotax 912 engine delivers a cruise speed around 135 knots while sipping fuel at roughly 3.5 gallons per hour, making it one of the most efficient touring aircraft in its class.

The type qualifies as a Light Sport Aircraft in the United States and an ultralight in Europe, opening it to a broad pilot base seeking cross-country performance without the operating costs of heavier singles. Flight schools prize the Virus for its docile handling, excellent visibility, and forgiving stall characteristics—stall speed with full flaps is just 37 knots, and the glide ratio exceeds 20:1 with the engine at idle. The aircraft's 49-foot wingspan and clean aerodynamics allow it to climb rapidly in thermals when flown as a motorglider, yet it remains stable and responsive in turbulence during powered cross-country legs.

Pipistrel's attention to composite construction keeps the empty weight below 650 pounds, leaving useful load for two occupants and baggage even within the 1,320-pound LSA limit. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.