Falconar Teal
| Teal | |
|---|---|
| Role | Utility amphibian |
| Manufacturer | Homebuilt |
| Designer | Chris Falconar |
| First flight | December 1967[1] |
The Falconar Teal was a two-seat homebuilt, amphibious airplane designed by Chris Falconar of Edmonton, Canada. Based on the two- or three-seat AMF Maranda, the Teal was built mostly of wood. It featured strut-braced high wing, with "W" configuration struts running from the wing roots, down to stabilizing floats (which also contained the main wheels), then back up the wings near 70% span; cruciform tail; two pilots seated side-by-side under the wing; access to the cockpit by side doors; tricycle undercarriage with the main wheels retracting into stabilizing floats only about 25% of the wing span. The nosewheel retracted into the bow and was covered by two conventional (side-hinged) doors. A rarity among flying boats was its engine location in a nacelle, above the wing, with the propeller rotating immediately in front of the windscreen. From the 1970s to the 1990s plans were sold by Falconar Aviation of Edmonton (downtown municipal airport). A handful were built by amateur aircraft constructors (aka homebuilders) in Canada and the United States. Most were powered by certified Lycoming or Continental engines.
Like many small flying boats, it suffered from a high empty weight and had difficulty competing with float planes.
The Falconar Teal has been replaced by lighter, composite construction amphibians like the Quikkit Glass Goose Goose and Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey.
Specifications (variant)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–72[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
- Wingspan: 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m)
- Height: 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m)
- Wing area: 160 sq ft (15 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 6.6:1
- Airfoil: NACA 4412 (modified)
- Empty weight: 1,050 lb (476 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320-B2A air-cooled flat four, 160 hp (120 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn)
- Cruise speed: 125 mph (201 km/h, 109 kn) (max cruise)
- Stall speed: 37 mph (60 km/h, 32 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 185 mph (298 km/h, 161 kn)
- Range: 450 mi (720 km, 390 nmi) standard fuel
- Ferry range: 700 mi (1,100 km, 610 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 16,400 ft (5,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,100 ft/min (5.6 m/s)
References
- Taylor, John W. R. (1971). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–72. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 376.