Air & Space 18A

Template:Infobox Aircraft The Air & Space 18A is a gyroplane manufactured in the central United States between 1965 and 2000.

The Air & Space 18A is one of the last three gyroplanes issued a Standard Airworthiness Certificate (September 1961) by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

History of the aircraft

Invention by Umbaugh

Raymond E. Umbaugh, a manufacturer of agricultural fertilizer, founded Umbaugh Aircraft Corporation in Ocala, Florida, in 1957 to develop a gyroplane based on experience he acquired while modifying single-seat Bensen Gyrocopters. Gilbert Devore commenced the design of Umbaugh's tandem two-seat jump-takeoff gyroplane in 1958, basing the rotor system on that of the Sznycer Omega BS-12 helicopter. The prototype Umbaugh U-17, built by Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation of Hagerstown, Maryland, flew in August 1959. Further test flights were conducted by chief pilot Ken Hayden and former Pitcairn Autogiro Company pilot Slim Soule. The prototype exhibited stability problems due to its single rudder and minimal T-tail horizontal stabilizer positioned on a boom behind the pusher propeller. The second prototype, named Umbaugh U-18, was fitted with a V-tail which also proved inadequate. Then a third was a T tail with two large vertical end plates on the horizontal tail plane. Sufficient stability was finally achieved by the use of two fixed vertical fins with a centrally mounted all-flying rudder with a small end plate at its top, all mounted on a horizontal stabilizer. The last change was probably for structial reasons. Umbaugh had by this time concluded an agreement for Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation to undertake final development and mass production of the U-18 as the “Flymobil.”

Fairchild built five development gyroplanes during 1960, one of which was used to gain FAA Approved Type Certificate 1H17 in September 1961. Umbaugh established a large network of dealers and distributors in the United States, upon whom he imposed minimum sales quotas to generate a large order backlog, but he experienced difficulty filling the orders due to inadequate manufacturing capability at Fairchild. Under pressure from the dealers, Umbaugh Aircraft Corporation ceased operations in 1962 and the agreement with Fairchild was terminated.

Production by Air and Space Manufacturing Inc.

About one hundred Umbaugh dealers took over the assets of Umbaugh Aircraft Corporation and in 1964 established Air and Space Manufacturing, Inc., of Muncie, Indiana, to commence production. In early 1965, the FAA awarded the corporation a production certificate for the Air & Space Model 18A gyroplane, a model which had only minor differences from the Umbaugh U-18. By late 1965 sixty-eight gyroplanes had been completed and delivered, 14 more were near completion, some were later stolen when A&S Manufacturing was in receivership. Air and Space Manufacturing, Inc., was again faced with dealer pressure for aircraft and commenced efforts to raise $2.5 million for expansion. The fund raising resulted in accusations of stock irregularities by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and though those concerned were eventually cleared of all charges, the associated costs and delays resulted in the collapse of the company in 1966.

The assets of Air and Space Manufacturing, went into storage, and were eventually (in the 1980s) acquired by one of the dealers, retired Pan Am pilot Don Farrington of Paducah, Kentucky. John Potter (former vice President of Air & Space Manufacturing Inc)went into partnership with Don Farrington until the year 2000 when Don died of a heart.

John Potter then tried to re-establish the 18A program and transported an inventory of parts and some 18A aircraft to Florida with a new partner,he then engaged Robert Kelsall of Euroa, Australia to design a modern new model (the 28A)we are now seaking financial support, enquiries invited, email - robkelsall@tadaust.arg.au

Development by Farrington Aircraft Corp.

Initially lacking ownership of the type certificate, Farrington Aircraft Corporation remanufactured existing aircraft and also developed Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) modifications including:

• a collective pitch trim system to allow increased cruise speed,
• fiberglass engine cowlings and exhaust system to suppress the significant propeller and exhaust noise, and
• a yaw warning delay circuit system.

Farrington Aircraft Corporation also operated a gyroplane pilot training facility at Farrington Airpark, a privately owned, public-use airport in Paducah, Kentucky, and engaged in extensive promotional efforts.

Production by Air and Space America, Inc.

In 1991, Farrington obtained the Air & Space 18A Type Certificate, and undertook efforts to manufacture new gyroplanes as Air and Space America, Inc. (some sources say Air & Space America Corporation). Work was also under way in 1996 to certify a "model 20A" which was to use the Lycoming IO-360 200-horsepower fuel-injected engine.

However, Farrington suffered a heart attack while flying an Air and Space 18A at an airshow in April 2000. Farrington Aircraft Corporation ceased operations shortly after, and the gyroplane assets were sold at auction.

DON FARRINGTON"S UNTIMELY DEATH According to John Potter (Don's Farrington Airpark partner for 22 years) the Florida Airshow had finished and Don thought he would have a last flight for the day to show off the nice new 18A to its new owner. He was flying along at a modest speed and low level when he suffered a heart attack. The gyro descended slightly and rolled to the right, the rotor blades initially striking the ground then the gyro skidded a short distance on its side to a stop.

John and others were horrified and rushed a short distance to help Don. Don did not have a mark on him but he had no pulse and was not breathing. A doctor happened to be there at the time but all efforts to revive him failed, he was only 68 years old. Don had chest pains that week and had made a doctors appointment for the next week, but unfortunately a week too late.

Both men, John Potter and Don had a wealth of experience in the aviation world, in early days, Don had restored a war surplus observation plane. He then put himself through aeronautical engineering to gain a degree by giving flight instruction. He was a very accomplished military pilot and flew amphibious military rescue missions in Korea, then as a retired colonel kept his hand in with jet fighters in a reserve unit.

He signed on with Pan Am and by 1972 was enjoying a comfortable career captaining 747’s. Don was however, just at home in midget racers, ultra lights, balloons and gliders and was chosen to make the first test flight of the futuristic Carter Copter, a most difficult task considering ambitious concept of this aircraft.. He was also an FAA designee examiner for rotor craft ratings and later honored in ’99 as Kentucky’s “instructor of the year”

Current status of the type certificate

As of 2006 the assets are held by Heliplane Aircraft Corporation in LaBelle, Florida.

Altogether, __ aircraft were produced by Umbaugh and an additional __ were made by Farrington.

Flight capabilities

• The 18A has a maximum gross weight of 1800 pounds
• Fuel tank capacity is 27.2 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, in which a transmission is overspeeds the rotor to approximately 370 RPM, and the takeoff button is depressed, causing the transmission to disconnect allowing the propeller RPM increasing to maximum followed 1 second later by rotor blade pitch increasing to 9.6 degrees. This causes the aircraft to leap into the air and then transition to autorotative flight within 5 seconds at gross weight rotor speed of 240 RPM.
• The 18A holds an FAA Standard Airworthiness Certificate.
• The 18A's FAA Type Certificate approves it for day and night VFR flight.

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.
• Rotor: The rotor used on the 18A was adapted from that of the Snyczer Omega BS-12 heavy lift helicopter.
• Blades: Each rotor blade is constructed of spruce and balsa wood, and covered with a fiberglass skin. Each is fitted with a forged steel blade fork and a tip weight. The NACA 0012 airfoil section is used, as was typical of rotor blades designed in the same 1950s - 1960s era, and each weighs 52 lb.
• Propeller:Hartzell 2 or 3-blade
• Transmission:Muncie Gear Works
• Typical rotor speed:220
• The 18A uses a swashplate

Specifications (18A)

Data from All the World's Rotorcraft

General characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot
• Capacity: one passenger
• Airfoil: NACA 0012
• Fuel capacity: 27.2 US gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel

Performance

References

The majority of this article is copied directly from www.gyroplane.aero, a website about the Air & Space 18A gyroplane.

• Website of Heliplane Aircraft International Corp.
• Website about the Air & Space 18A gyroplane.