Service History
The PT-2 Sassy carved out a niche in the experimental aircraft market during the late 1980s and 1990s as one of the more accessible STOL-capable homebuilts available to amateur constructors. With its pre-formed aluminum components and simplified construction techniques, the aircraft attracted builders seeking short-field performance without the complexity of traditional STOL designs. International appeal was demonstrated through registrations across multiple countries, including examples in New Zealand (ZK-PTS, ZK-PTT, ZK-PTU), Australia (VH-LMZ, VH-OSP, VH-PTF), and the Netherlands (PH-EDB).
The Manufacturer
Protech Aircraft Inc. operated from Houston, Texas, later relocating to Richmond, Texas, during its production years from approximately 1988 through the early 2000s. The company focused exclusively on kit aircraft manufacturing, emphasizing designs that combined performance with buildability for the amateur constructor market. At one point, Protech explored international expansion through a planned partnership with Lake Macquarie Aviation in Rutherford, New South Wales, Australia, which resulted in at least one Australian-built example (registration 19-3145). The company ceased operations in the early 2000s without completing several planned developmental projects, leaving the PT-2 Sassy as its primary legacy aircraft.
Engine & Technical Details
The PT-2 Sassy employed a single 56-kilowatt (75-horsepower) Revmaster four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine, a powerplant specifically designed for experimental aircraft applications. The aircraft's construction combined traditional and modern techniques, featuring a welded steel tube fuselage covered in Ceconite fabric, pre-formed aluminum alloy wings with fiberglass wingtips and fairings, and steel tube flaperons that provided both aileron and flap functions for enhanced STOL performance. The design incorporated foldable wings for hangar storage, addressing a common concern among private aircraft owners with limited hangar space.
With a fuel capacity of 53 liters (11.65 Imperial gallons), the PT-2 achieved respectable range performance for its class. The aircraft's G-limit rating of +6/-4 provided adequate margins for recreational aerobatics, while the non-retractable tailwheel undercarriage simplified both construction and maintenance requirements.
Performance Characteristics
The PT-2 Sassy delivered impressive performance figures that justified its STOL reputation. Maximum speed reached 169 kilometers per hour (105 mph), while cruise speed settled at 161 kilometers per hour (100 mph). The aircraft's defining characteristic was its exceptionally low stall speed of just 47 kilometers per hour (29 mph), achieved through the effective flaperon system and careful wing design. Rate of climb measured 274 meters per minute (900 feet per minute), providing adequate short-field departure performance.
Service ceiling reached 3,048 meters (10,000 feet), sufficient for most recreational flying missions. Range at cruise power extended to 675 kilometers (420 miles) without reserves, making the aircraft suitable for cross-country flights despite its compact dimensions. The combination of low stall speed and reasonable cruise performance made the PT-2 particularly attractive to pilots operating from short or unimproved airstrips.
Production & Legacy
Protech Aircraft produced approximately 88 aircraft during its operational period, with construction numbers indicating a steady if modest production rate through the 1990s and early 2000s. The earliest confirmed registration dates from 2003, though kit deliveries began much earlier. Construction numbers like PT-1164 and various N-series designations suggest a systematic production approach despite the company's relatively small scale.
Variants included the PT-2B and PT-2C models, which featured more powerful engines to improve performance margins. These derivatives addressed market demand for enhanced capability while maintaining the basic airframe's STOL characteristics. The planned Australian production through Lake Macquarie Aviation represented an attempt to expand market reach, though this initiative produced only limited numbers.
Today, the PT-2 Sassy represents a footnote in experimental aviation history, remembered primarily for its straightforward construction approach and genuine STOL performance. Examples continued flying well into the 2000s, with VH-OSP documented at the 2009 Avalon Airshow in Victoria, Australia. While never achieving the widespread adoption of more established homebuilt designs, the PT-2 Sassy demonstrated that effective short-field performance could be packaged in an amateur-buildable aircraft, contributing to the broader experimental aircraft movement of the late 20th century.