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Larkin Skylark

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Skylark KC-3
Role Homebuilt semi-amphibious aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Larkin Aircraft Corporation
First flight 1973
Number built 1

The Larkin Skylark is single-engine amphibious homebuilt aircraft. Only one aircraft was built and flown in 1973.

Design

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The Skylark is a pusher-style design with a single Volkswagen air-cooled engine above and behind the fully enclosed cockpit. The cockpit seats two occupants in side-by-side configuration, with a large Plexiglas canopy curving around both occupants. The tail is a twin-boom arrangement attached at the trailing edge of the wings, allowing clearance for the pusher propeller above and within the booms. The landing gear is a tricycle arrangement with the nose gear positioned at the foremost point of the nose and the two main gear semi-recessed into teardrop-shaped fairings on the lower sides. The fuselage and landing gear are internally supported with an aluminum tube keel.[1]

The Skylark is capable of amphibious operation when fitted with an optional V-shaped lower hull made out of fiberglass.[2]

Specifications

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Data from Plane & Pilot

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 (pilot and passenger)
  • Length: 19 ft 6 in (5.95 m)
  • Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
  • Empty weight: 790 lb (358 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,246 lb (565 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Volkswagen automotive engine , 65 hp (48 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Range: 525 mi (845 km, 456 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,659 m)
  • Rate of climb: 550 ft/min (2.8 m/s)

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  1. ^ "Larkin Skylark". Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  2. ^ John William Ransom Taylor (1977). Jane's Pocket book of home-built aircraft. p. 141.