SD-1 Minisport
SD-1 specifications
The verified dimensions, weights, operating limits and configuration details behind the SD-1 Minisport.
Specifications vary with engine, landing gear, equipment and individual aircraft configuration.
Dimensions
- Wingspan
- 19.6 ft (5.98 m)
- Length
- 14.27 ft (4.35 m)
- Height
- 4 ft (1.23 m)
Source · Factory specification · SD-1 TG + SE-33 Flight Manual, Issue 1 · SD Planes USA approved conversion
Weights and capacities
- Empty weight
- from 254 lb (115 kg)
- Configuration dependent. Actual empty weight varies by configuration, engine, installed equipment and finish.
- Maximum takeoff weight
- 530 lb (240 kg)
- Maximum pilot weight
- 231 lb (105 kg)
- Fuel capacity
- 9.2 US gal (35 L)
- Baggage volume
- 1.4 ft³ (40 L)
Source · Factory specification · SD-1 TG + SE-33 Flight Manual, Issue 1 · SD Planes USA approved conversion
Aircraft-specific loading and centre-of-gravity limits come from the documentation for the individual airplane.
Operating speeds and limits
- Never-exceed speed
- 137 mph / 119 kt (220 km/h)
- Maneuvering speed
- 101 mph / 88 kt (163 km/h)
- Stall speed, clean
- 49 mph / 42 kt (78 km/h)
- TG + SE-33, IAS at maximum takeoff weight.
- Stall speed, landing configuration
- ≈ 39 mph / 34 kt
- TG + SE-33, IAS at maximum takeoff weight. Source documents report 63–64 km/h depending on source and configuration.
- Limit load factors
- +4 / −2 g
- Ultimate load factors
- +8 / −4 g
Source · Factory specification · SD-1 TG + SE-33 Flight Manual, Issue 1
Stall speeds are indicated airspeeds from the TG + SE-33 flight manual and apply to that configuration.
TG + SE-33 reference performance
The figures here come from the factory flight manual for an SD-1 TG equipped with the earlier SE-33 engine and Helix H30F propeller. They are configuration-specific reference data and should not be treated as SE33I XP performance.
- Rate of climb, sea level
- 750 ft/min
- Rate of climb, 3,000 ft
- 570 ft/min
- Best rate-of-climb speed
- 75 mph / 65 kt
- Maximum level speed
- 115 mph / 100 kt
- Optimal cruise
- 98 mph / 85 kt
- Best glide speed
- 68 mph / 59 kt
- Glide ratio
- 13:1
- Takeoff roll, grass
- 427 ft (130 m)
- Takeoff roll, paved
- 394 ft (120 m)
- Landing roll, grass
- 394 ft (120 m)
- Landing roll, paved
- 328 ft (100 m)
Source · SD-1 TG + SE-33 Flight Manual, Issue 1 · SD Planes USA approved conversion
Landing gear configurations
- Conventional Tailwheel
- TD
- The factory’s lightest, lowest-drag option. Fiberglass main legs and a tailwheel on a composite spring.
- Tricycle Gear with Castoring Nose Wheel
- TG
- A castoring nose wheel. On the ground you steer with differential braking and rudder.
- Tricycle Gear with Controllable Nose Wheel
- TGC
- A nose wheel steered directly from the pedals, with spring suspension. More complex and heavier than the castoring version.
Weight differences between configurations are being confirmed with the factory.
Landing gear detailCockpit and fit
- Standard cockpit — pilot height guidance
- up to 6.1 ft (1.85 m)
- Factory guidance. Actual fit is individual.
- Cockpit width at the shoulders
- 21.3 in (54 cm)
- From the TG + SE-33 flight manual.
- XL Headroom
- +1.1 lb
- Higher canopy top and turtle deck — up to 2 in (5 cm) more headroom.
- XL Legroom
- +1.5 lb
- Longer fuselage for taller pilots — 2 in (5 cm) more legroom, intended to help fit pilots up to about 6.6 ft (2 m).
- XL Cockpit Width
- +0.9 lb
- Wider cockpit for added comfort and shoulder room — about 2 in (5 cm) more at the arms and legs, with a widened instrument-panel area.
Source · Factory specification · SD-1 TG + SE-33 Flight Manual, Issue 1
XL option combinations and final configuration details are being confirmed with the factory. Added weights are approximate factory figures.
Construction summary
- Wood-truss fuselage
- Plywood skins
- Composite main wing spar
- Carbon spar caps
- XPS wing ribs
- Removable wing panels
- All-moving horizontal tail (stabilator)
Source · SD-1 TG + SE-33 Flight Manual, Issue 1
SE33I XP
- Output
- 35 hp
- Manufacturer-rated output.
- Engine type
- Four-stroke, inverted V-twin, OHV
- Manufacturer-listed engine weight
- 71 lb (32 kg)
- Manufacturer-listed. Not an installed or firewall-forward weight.
Source · Factory specification · SE-33I XP Operator’s Manual, 14 January 2024 · Direct factory confirmation, 23 September 2026 · SD Planes USA approved conversion
Specifications vary by configuration.
Engine choice, landing gear, cockpit options, installed equipment, finish and individual construction can affect weight and performance. Aircraft-specific operating limitations and documentation govern the individual airplane.