Pilatus P-3
| P-3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Trainer aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Pilatus Aircraft |
| First flight | 3 September 1953 |
| Introduction | 1956 |
| Status | in use in private hands |
| Primary users | Swiss Air Force Brazilian Navy |
| Number built | 79 |
| Developed into | Pilatus PC-7 |
The Pilatus P-3 was a military training aircraft built by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.
Design and development
The Pilatus P-3 was designed for primary and advanced training (including night flying, aerobatics and instrument flying). The military version was designated P-3-03. It was of all-metal construction with a retractable tricycle undercarriage and tandem seating. There was provision for underwing racks for light practice bombs or rockets and a machine gun in a pod below the port wing.
Operational history
The first prototype was built in 1953 and flew on 3 September, the same year.[1] The Swiss Air Force received 72 examples of this aircraft while the Brazilian Navy acquired six. The Swiss Air Force used the P-3 as a training aircraft until 1983, although it continued to be used as a liaison aircraft for another decade. In 1993–1995, 65 ex-Swiss Air Force aircraft were sold on the private market.[2]
Operators
The P-3 Flyers is an independent air display team based in Switzerland.[3][4] Formed in 1996. it currently operates five ex-Swiss Air Force P3 aircraft.[5][6]
Specifications (Pilatus P-3-03)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1956–57[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 8.75 m (28 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 10.40 m (34 ft 1 in)
- Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 16.55 m2 (178.1 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 6.55:1
- Empty weight: 1,090 kg (2,403 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 170 litres (37 imp gal; 45 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming GO-435-C2-A2 six cylinder, air-cooled, four stroke, horizontally opposed aircraft engine, 180 kW (240 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 310 km/h (190 mph, 170 kn)
- Cruise speed: 255 km/h (158 mph, 138 kn) (econ cruise)
- Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 7.00 m/s (1,378 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 90.63 kg/m2 (18.57 lb/sq ft)
- Power/mass: 0.12 kW/kg (0.072 hp/lb)
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
Notes
- ^ a b Bridgman 1956, p. 223.
- ^ " History: Pilatus P-3." Pilatus P-3 Retrieved: 9 November 2012.
- ^ The P-3 is a all-metal aircraft with tricycle landing gear, pilatus-enthusiasts.com.au (retrieved 25 January 2015)
- ^ Dai Pilatus P3 Trainers ai Pilatus P3 Flyers (pdf) (From Pilatus P3 trainers to Pilatus P3 flyers), retro.seals.ch (retrieved 25 January 2015)
- ^ Vola con il Pilatus dei P3 Flyers - Acrobazia aerea (Fly with the Pilatus P3 Flyers - Aerobatics), volarein.com (retrieved 25 January 2015)
- ^ P3 Flyers, Aeroclub Parma (retrieved 25 January 2015)
Bibliography
- Bridgman, Leonard. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1956-57. London: Jane's Ltd, 1956.
- "History." Pilatus P-3 Owners Group.
External links
