JMB VL3 vs Pipistrel Virus SW

Side-by-side specs, range, and operating costs.

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Dimensions & configuration

Representative planforms, drawn to shared scale.

JMB VL3
28 ft × 20 ft ⭥ 7 ft
1× Piston Retractable Unpressurized
Pipistrel Virus SW
35 ft × 21 ft ⭥ 6 ft
1× Piston Fixed Unpressurized

Flight Profile

Service ceiling, range, and climb rate.

Tap legend to isolate

Arc represents the climb-cruise-descent profile based on published service ceiling and range. Climb rate annotated on ascent. FL180 (18,000 ft) shown for reference.

Mission Performance

Stall, approach, cruise, range, ceiling and climb: best values are at the top.

Mission performance specifications
Specification JMB VL3Pipistrel Virus SW
Stall speed 44 kt47 kt
Approach speed 60 kt53 kt
Cruise speed 199 kt147 kt
Range 810 nm810 nm
Service ceiling 18000 ft18000 ft
Rate of climb 2000 fpm1650 fpm
Fuel burn 9.0 gph4.5 gph

Each axis is scaled independently across the compared aircraft and printed in its own units; every vertex sits at the published figure. Higher is better on all axes: Stall, Approach and Fuel Burn are inverted (lower = higher). A missing figure breaks the line at that axis.

Fuel Burn & Range

Range, endurance, and what the fuel costs by the hour.

JMB VL3 Mogas
9.0 gph
Baseline
810 nm range 22.1 nm/gal 37 gal usable $45 fuel/hr 4h 06m endurance
JMB VL3: 9.0 gph at cruise, 810 nautical mile published range, 4 hour 6 minute endurance, 22.1 nautical miles per gallon.
Pipistrel Virus SW Mogas
4.5 gph
Baseline
810 nm range 32.7 nm/gal 26 gal usable $22 fuel/hr 5h 46m endurance
Pipistrel Virus SW: 4.5 gph at cruise, 810 nautical mile published range, 5 hour 46 minute endurance, 32.7 nautical miles per gallon.
Mogas range each cell = 1 hr of cruise · width scales with speed

Bars show published still-air range: select a cell to view cruise-hours and fuel usage. Endurance is full tank at the displayed cruise burn rate; the extra is reserve and economy margin. Estimates only. Always verify against the POH.

Runway Performance

Density altitude adjusted estimates

Outside Air Temp
0°F57°F115°F
Field Elevation
SL4,0008,000 ft

Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle

Landing over 50 ft obstacle

Density Altitude

Monte cristo

Base distance DA penalty
Scale: 6,000 ft

FAA 10%/1,000 ft DA rule of thumb (FAA-H-8083-25B). Turboprops and jets are less sensitive in practice. Always verify against the POH.

Estimated Operating Costs

Hourly direct and annual fixed costs

Scale:
JMB VL3 Mogas
$70 /hr
Baseline
JMB VL3: $70 per flight hour — fuel $45, maintenance and reserve $25.
Pipistrel Virus SW Mogas
$34 /hr
Baseline
Pipistrel Virus SW: $34 per flight hour — fuel $22, maintenance and reserve $12.
JMB VL3 Piston
$15,000 /yr Baseline
JMB VL3: $15,000 per year — insurance $6,000, hangar $7,200, annual inspection $1,800.
Pipistrel Virus SW Piston
$8,798 /yr Baseline
Pipistrel Virus SW: $8,798 per year — insurance $2,600, hangar $5,348, annual inspection $850.

Estimates only. Hourly direct operating cost, based on fuel price and reserves; Annual fixed costs (insurance, hangar, and inspection). Costs vary by location, pilot profile, and market conditions. See individual aircraft pages for source notes.

Capability & limits

Payload vs useful load limit

+ cargo
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1
JMB VL3 Piston
2 / 2 seats cargo 37 gal / 37 gal fuel 296 lbs wet payload 518 lbs useful 1,323 lbs MTOW
Pipistrel Virus SW Piston
2 / 2 seats cargo 26 gal / 26 gal fuel 517 lbs wet payload 673 lbs useful 1,323 lbs MTOW

Shows selected occupants against full fuel, within the aircraft's useful-load limit. Fuel weight at 6.7 lb/gal jet-A, 6.0 lb/gal avgas; pax and luggage are 190 + 30 . Change payload weights in global settings.

Payload-Range Map

Origin: → · two fingers to move map

+ cargo
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1

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