Creative Flight Aerocat
| Creative Flight Aerocat | |
|---|---|
| File:Aerocat-2000.jpg Aerocat prototype | |
| General information | |
| Type | Kit aircraft |
| National origin | Canada |
| Manufacturer | Creative Flight Auriga Design |
| Designer | Kirk Creelman |
| Status | Under development |
| Number built | One (2011) |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 2001 |
| First flight | 15 July 2001 (single engine) 5 September 2002 (twin) |
The Creative Flight Aerocat is a Canadian mid-wing, all composite, four passenger experimental aircraft that can be configured for amphibious float operations. Under development since 1998, the aircraft is intended to be supplied in kit form by Creative Flight of Haliburton, Ontario, for amateur construction. The company has since been renamed Auriga Design.[1][2][3]
Design and development
[edit | edit source]Development started in 1998 on the MPA Aerocat. In 2002, the vehicle was renamed the Creative Flight Aerocat.[4]
The all composite aircraft features a distinctive gull-wing design with pods that floats can attach to. A twin engine variant is powered by two Jabiru 3300 engines. In both the case of the single and twin engined versions, the engines are mounted in pusher configuration on a composite arch behind the cockpit.[2]
Operational history
[edit | edit source]The single engine prototype flew in 2001, then was retrofitted for twin engine operations and flown in 2002. Shortly afterward the aircraft was test flown with floats.[5]
In 2003, the prototype was flown to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow and displayed.[1]
As of August 2019 the prototype, C-GYCC, remained the sole example flying.[2][3][6]
Variants
[edit | edit source]- SR
- Single engine version with retractable gear, powered by a Crossflow CF4-20THO 250 hp (186 kW) engine.[2]
- SRX
- Single engine version with retractable gear and floats, powered by a Crossflow CF4-20THO 250 hp (186 kW) engine or one Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-21 turboprop producing 480 hp (358 kW)[2][3]
- TR
- Twin engine version with retractable gear, powered by two Jabiru 3300 120 hp (89 kW) engines[2]
- TRX
- Twin engine version with retractable gear and floats, powered by two Jabiru 3300 120 hp (89 kW) engines[2]
Specifications (Aerocat SR)
[edit | edit source]Data from Creative Flight[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 3 passengers[7]
- Length: 8.23 m (27 ft 0 in) (overall length)[7]
- Wingspan: 10.36 m (34 ft 0 in) [7]
- Height: 2.72 m (8 ft 11 in) [7]
- Wing area: 15.33 m2 (165.0 sq ft) [7]
- Airfoil: NLF 0215 (mod)[7]
- Empty weight: 794 kg (1,750 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,361 kg (3,000 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 68 gallons
- Powerplant: 1 × Crossflow CF4-20THO , 190 kW (250 hp)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 298 km/h (185 mph, 161 kn)
- Stall speed: 80 km/h (50 mph, 43 kn)
- Rate of climb: 6.1 m/s (1,200 ft/min)
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e f g Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 47. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ a b c Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 43. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e f Jackson 2007, pp. 77–78.
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).