Following the news that Botswana has taken delivery of 14 of these aircraft to be deployed on air-borne anti-poaching patrols above four major game reserves in the country, we decided to take a closer look at this little plane with the cool name.

The ‘Bat Hawk’ is type-classified as a  “Light Sport Aircraft” and designed, built and supplied as a complete ready-to-fly aircraft by Micro Aviation SA in South Africa.   The Bat Hawk is described by the company as an African solution for African conditions, and was developed primarily for surveillance and conservation missions.

All parts and materials are sourced in South Africa and the aircraft is entirely fabricated in the country.  It is also said to be the most affordable light sport aircraft on the market – which will also make it an attractive option in Africa.

The Bat Hawk features a strut-braced high-wing, a two seats in a side-by-side configuration, an open cockpit with excellent all-round visibility , robust fixed tricycle landing gear with large ‘bush’ tyres, hydraulic disk brakes, large fuel tank capacity (80 liters) and a six-cylinder 125 hp engine mounted above the cockpit.

With its low loaded weight, easy flying characteristics, excellent visibility, robust landing gear, and high-mounted engine, the Bat Hawk makes an excellent “bush plane”.

Full spec’s and conact information can be found on the web at:  www.bathawk.co.za

You can also follow the ‘Bat Hawk’ on Facebook.

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All photos copyright Micro Aviation SA.