The Fike Model D was a light aircraft built in the United States in the early 1950s. Designed by airline pilot William Fike,[1] it was a conventional high-wing strut-braced monoplane with tailskid undercarriage and seating for one or two people in an enclosed cabin. In appearance, the aircraft strongly resembled a Piper Cub, with only the tail surfaces sourced from one.[2] An unusual feature was that the flight controls were mounted to the ceiling of the cabin, rather than the floor.[3] This facilitated the folding or removal of the seat or seats to enable the aircraft's use as a sleeping space when camping with it. Plans were marketed for homebuilding.
| Model D | |
|---|---|
| Role | Recreational aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Homebuilt |
| Designer | William Fike |
| First flight | 1951 |
Specifications
editData from [4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
- Wingspan: 29 ft 1 in (8.86 m)
- Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
- Wing area: 132 sq ft (12.3 m2)
- Airfoil: NACA 4409
- Empty weight: 611 lb (277 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,040 lb (472 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,070 lb (485 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 12 US gal (10.0 imp gal; 45 L)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental A65-8 four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled piston engine, 65 hp (48 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed Sensenich 72-C-44 fixed-pitch wooden propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 107 mph (172 km/h, 93 kn)
- Cruise speed: 85–90 mph (137–145 km/h, 74–78 kn)
- Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn)
- Range: 270 mi (430 km, 230 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m) (at least)
- Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
References
edit- Taylor, John W. R. (1961). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 392.
- aerofiles.com