Sukhoi Su-31

The single-seat aerobatic aircraft built for unlimited competition

Overview

Sukhoi Russia ICAO: SU31 1995–Present Active $320,000

The Sukhoi Su-31 is a single-seat aerobatic aircraft developed for international competition. Built with a focus on power and agility, it has been flown by world-class aerobatic pilots. The aircraft continues the Sukhoi tradition of high-performance aerobatic design.

Live Fleet Activity (SU31)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Steen Aero Lab M-14PF
Engine type
Piston
Power
400 hp · 298 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
22 ft 8 in  ·  6.90 m
Tail height
9 ft 1 in  ·  2.76 m
Fuselage diameter
—
Wing span
26 ft 11 in  ·  8.20 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
2,450 lb  ·  1,100 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
750 lb  ·  350 kg
Fuel capacity
80 gal · 300 L · 200 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
178 kt  ·  205 mph  ·  330 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
594 nm  ·  680 mi  ·  1,100 km
Fuel burn
8.36 nm/gal  ·  4.09 km/L
Ceiling
43,000 ft  ·  13,100 m
Rate of climb
4,700 ft/min  ·  24 m/s
Takeoff distance
1,190 ft  ·  360 m
Landing distance
980 ft  ·  300 m
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Czech acrobatic plane Sukhoi Su-31

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Operational Context

Sukhoi Su-31 — single-seat unlimited aerobatic aircraft

The Su-31 was introduced in the early 1990s as a development of the earlier Su-26 aerobatic aircraft. It featured refinements to aerodynamics and structure to enhance performance in unlimited competition. The aircraft employs composite materials and a steel tube fuselage core for strength.

Powered by a Vedeneyev M14P radial engine producing approximately 360 horsepower, the Su-31 is capable of roll rates exceeding 400 degrees per second. Maximum takeoff weight is roughly 2,100 pounds (950 kg). The airframe is stressed for high positive and negative g loads typical of unlimited aerobatics.

The Su-31 has been used in world championships and advanced aerobatic displays. Its combination of power and structural resilience made it competitive at the highest levels. The design remains a prominent example of post-Soviet aerobatic engineering.