A word from Mr. Rakušan, the test pilot:

In the middle of this year I had a chance to fly in the ALTO ultra light airplane, made by Mr. Chroust and Mr. Mixa from Moravian Vyškov.

At first glance it was clear that it would be a fast machine not only because of the six-cylinder Jabiru engine, but also because of its overall concept, stemming from the contemporary concept of an up-to-date aircraft.

After compulsory weighing, calculation of the centre of gravity and checks of everything, necessary before the first flight, we got down to business. During the taxiing tests, I was very surprised by the nearly ideal engine operation in all modes and by good outward visibility, which cannot always be expected when using conventional aircraft landing gear.

During takeoff as well as during the flight itself, the engine’s performance was easily felt, climb was about 8 m/s, the cruising speed surpassed 200 km/h, and the descent speed was 60 km/h – all of these at maximum takeoff weight. These data were indicated by the speedometer. After initial faults had been eliminated, the aircraft felt very pleasant and not deceptive to fly, a fact confirmed by the LAA Technician, Mr. Slad, engineering supervisor.

The prototype metal aeroplane Alto, which has already been registered in the Czech Republic in this category, noticeably reminds of the Italian Storm.

We have already taken a fancy to this aeroplane at first sight because it substantially differentiates from the others we know and, moreover, it has a very attractive silhouette. The fuselage in one line past the crew cockpit seemed to me a bit too mighty at first but after a longer reflection I came to the conclusion that such a side silhouette can be substantiated with technologic aspects. The fuselage surface can be developed so that presses for moulding the casing duralumin plates are unnecessary, and hence is ideal for amateurs. In addition it appears that it has good longitudinal air circulation, without unsticking airflow within the full-applied speed range. The fuselage, which is flat on the underside, presents a lifting surface large enough, which is significant with respect to the wing span of hardly 7.36 m and the wing area of 8.15 m²!

The wings are fitted with big three-position flaps and in addition, the manufacturer offers elegant tips to these wings.

The cockpit is enough spatial and provided with a cover that opens forward and upward. Another advantage is dual well-shaped control levers, coming right from the instrument panel bottom.