Air & Space 18A
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Air & Space 18A is a model of autogyro or gyroplane made in the central United States between 1966 and 2000.
The Air & Space 18A is one of only three autogyros ever to be approved as a certified manufactured aircraft by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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[edit] Company history
The model was initially produced by the (need company name) company in (need location), Indiana starting in 1966. It was marketed as the Umbaugh heliplane.
The company went out of business in (need date) and assets were sold to need further information.
Company assets (tools, dies, parts, and license to build) were purchased by Don Farrington dba Air & Space Incorporated in (need date) and production of the aircraft resumed at Farrington Airpark in Paducah, Kentucky in (need date). Approximately 10 new aircraft were manufactured in this location, mostly sold to overseas governments.
Work was under way in 1996 to certify a "model 20A" which was to use the Lycoming IO360 200-horsepower engine.
Production of the aircraft ceased after Farrington's death in 2000.
[edit] Flight capabilities
- The 18A has a maximum gross weight of __ pounds
- Fuel tank capacity is __ gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel.
- The 18A's operating manual specifies a takeoff distance of __ feet and a landing distance of __ feet.
- One of the notable features of the 18A is its ability to execute a "jump takeoff," where the engine-to-rotor transmission is used to overspeed the rotors to approximately 160 RPM, and the "jump button" is depressed, causing the rotors to immediately move to full ___. The jump button simultaneously releases the transmission, allowing the propeller to This causes the aircraft to leap into the air and then e a ro the rotorhe 189
- The 18A is FAA approved for commercial use including dual instruction.
- The 18A's type certificate approves it for "day and night VFR" flight.
[edit] Technical specifications
- The 18A airframe is an all-metal monocoque construction.
- The 18A uses a Lycoming O-360 horizontally opposed carbureted engine.
- The 18A has a 12 volt electrical system which can power typical aircraft communication and navigation radios, and lights for night operation.
- Rotors: The rotors used on the 18A were originally made for a large helicopter (need name) and have a chord of 12 inches.
- Propeller:
- Transmission:
- Typical rotor speed:
- The 18A uses a swashplate
