The Silence Aircraft SA1100 Twister is a high-tech single-seat low-wing monoplane with elliptical wings and tailplane. The Silence
Twister started life as a world beating radio controlled aerobatic machine simply known as the Twister. It had been developed by
Matthias and Thomas Strieker in Germany and was so successful that they decided to build a “real” version of the model: the Silence Twister.
The Silence Twister is an ultralight designed by Silence Aircraft GmbH in Verl, Germany, for amateur construction, either from
plans or kits. The design drew inspiration from the Supermarine Spitfire, and the shapes of the Twister's wings, fin and tailplane
all recall the famous World War II fighter. The prototype s/n 001 D-MTMH was flown first on 30 September 2000. Designed to take
engines up to 94 hp the prototype was fitted with a 53.6 hp single-rotor MidWest Wankel engine. This rotary motor was very compact
and allowed a sleek engine cowling, but the engine was rejected and production aircraft use the 85 hp Jabiru 2200 or the 2.6-liter,
95 hp ULPower UL260iSA engines. The Twister has a honeycomb construction with carbon-Kevlar composite lining; either a fixed
undercarriage or a retractable conventional landing gear with a fixed tailwheel; slotted flaps; an automatic variable-pitch prop and
eliptical wings. The Silence Twister tank system is installed in the wing. This protects the pilot from leaking fuel in case of an
emergency landing. The cockpit is padded monocoque for pilot protection. The maximum speed is an impressive 300 km/h with an maximum
cruise speed of 280 km/h. The Silence Twister is wellknow from the British "Twister Aerobatics Team", formed in 2010. The ICAO aircraft
type designator of the Twister is TWST.
Peter Wells built a Silence Aircraft SA180 Twister under s/n PFA 329-14211. In 2004?? the aircraft was flown first, powered by an
Jabiru 2200 engine. On 7 September 2004, the amateur built airplane was registered G-TWST in the UK with Zulu Glasstek, Aylesbury.
After the plane was built and the first flight experiences were gainded, Peter gave his first public displays in 2008. As he wanted
to use the aircraft for aerobatics, the aircraft was developed from the original ultralight specification into the SA1100 Twister, an
aerobatic aeroplane with a 2.6-liter, ULPower UL260iSA engine. The aircraft was also equipped with a smoke system. Together with the
SA1100 Twister G-RIOT, the G-TWST was used for aerobatic displays. After the team became sponsored by Scottish Widows Investment
Partnership (SWIP) it became known as the SWIP Team. SWIP used the Twisters and their aerobatic displays to create a new corporate
branding throughout their business and advertising. The aircraft were repainted in the corporate colours of SWIP performing at public
and private displays all over Europe. On 15 November 2010, the G-TWST was re-registered G-ZWIP. On 4 April 2016. the originally
registration G-RIOT was restored. Nowadays the team is known as the "Twister Aerobatics Team". On 15 September 2012, the Silence Aircraft
SA1100 Twister G-ZWIP was seen togehter with sistership G-SWIP at Den Helder Airport in the Netherlands, where the SWIP Team perfomed an
aerobatic display during the Heldair Show Maritiem.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
