N126BF

N126BF is a Pipistrel Virus SW, a single-engine piston aircraft operated by MCELRATH HUGH D. SkyMeter has tracked 106 flights totalling 61 hours of airtime via ADS-B across 2 callsigns. The most frequent segment is 3VA7 to KCGS. Service window in our records spans 379 days. Of those flights, 10 (9.4%) carry at least one detected incident: a go-around, unstable approach, stall warning, or runway excursion. 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.