Windecker Eagle
| Eagle | |
|---|---|
| Role | Light aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Windecker Industries |
| Designer | Leo and Fairfax Windecker[1] |
| First flight | 7 October 1967[2] |
| Number built | Two prototypes and six production aircraft[1] |
| Variants | Windecker YE-5 |
The Eagle AC-7 Eagle 1 (USAF designation YE-5)[2] is an aircraft that was manufactured by Windecker Industries. It was the first composite airplane (foam and fiberglass construction) to receive FAA certification in December 1969 at a reported development cost of US$20,000,000. The fiberglass process was named "Fibaloy" by Windecker.[3]
Design and development
The Eagle's fuselage was molded in two pieces that were joined down the middle.[4] The first prototype had a fixed undercarriage but the second, known as the Eagle 1, had retractable tricycle gear. This aircraft first flew on 26 January 1969.[2] One prototype spun in on testing.[3]
Only eight Eagles were produced before production ended when the company ran out of money.[5]
No Eagle had been flying for many years, but one was restored and flown in December 2015, by Don Atchison, Mike Moore and a team commissioned by Chinese entrepreneur Wei Hang. Wei Hang holds the rights and the type certificate and plans to produce the aircraft in China for Asian sales.[1][5][6][7]
Specifications
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72[8]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 3 passengers
- Length: 28 ft 6 in (8.7 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
- Height: 9 ft 5 in (2.87 m)
- Wing area: 167 sq ft (15.5 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 5.82:1
- Airfoil: NACA 642415
- Empty weight: 2,150 lb (975 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 3,400 lb (1,542 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 86 US gal (72 imp gal; 330 L)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental IO-520C air-cooled flat-six engine, 285 hp (213 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed McCauley constant-speed propeller, 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 211 mph (340 km/h, 183 kn)
- Cruise speed: 204 mph (328 km/h, 177 kn)
- Stall speed: 66 mph (106 km/h, 57 kn) (flaps down)
- Never exceed speed: 260 mph (420 km/h, 230 kn)
- Range: 1,232 mi (1,983 km, 1,071 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,220 ft/min (6.2 m/s)
- Takeoff run to 50 ft (15 m): 1,310 ft (399 m)
- Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 1,330 ft (405 m)
References
Notes
- ^ a b c "Windecker Eagle Restoration Making Progress". avweb.com. July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ a b c Taylor 1974, pp. 481–482
- ^ a b "The Loaners". Flying: 52. May 1976.
- ^ Mark Phelps (April 2013). "Composite Airplanes". Sport Aviation: 82.
- ^ a b "Windecker Eagle Flies, Heads To China". AVweb. December 19, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
- ^ Kauh, Elaine (April 10, 2015). "Windecker Eagle Restoration Underway". avweb.com. Aviation Publishing Group. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
- ^ Garvey, William (April 17, 2015). "First All-Composite Aircraft Being Readied To Fly Again". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ Taylor 1971, pp. 422–423
Bibliography
- Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1971). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.
- Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1974). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1974-75. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-354-00502-2.
- Burmeier, Beverly. "Plastic Fantastic." The History Channel Magazine, September/October, 2005, pp. 22–23.
- "The Eagle Returns", Private Pilot Magazine, Sept. 1978.