VH-NKM

VH-NKM is a Schempp-Hirth Arcus, a single-engine piston aircraft operated by RUSSELL AVIATION PTY LTD. SkyMeter has tracked 12 flights totalling 5 hours of airtime via ADS-B. The most frequent segment is YSEN to YPEA. Service window in our records spans 222 days. The Schempp-Hirth Arcus has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,653 lb, light wake category.

About the Schempp-Hirth Arcus

The Schempp-Hirth Arcus is a high-performance side-by-side two-seat self-launching sailplane that blurs the line between pure glider and light sport aircraft. Introduced in 2006 by the famous German manufacturer Schempp-Hirth, the Arcus combines exceptional soaring performance with the convenience of a retractable Rotax piston engine, allowing pilots to launch independently and sustain flight without ground support or towplanes. Its 20-meter wingspan and sleek composite construction deliver a glide ratio exceeding 45:1, making it competitive with pure sailplanes while offering the flexibility of powered flight when thermals weaken or weather turns.

The Arcus is particularly popular for cross-country soaring and glider training, where the side-by-side seating arrangement facilitates instruction far better than traditional tandem configurations. With a never-exceed speed of 168 knots and a maximum structural cruising speed of 135 knots, it operates comfortably in the same airspace as conventional light aircraft, yet can shut down its engine mid-flight and glide silently for hours on rising air currents. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, covering routes.