The Pitcairn PAA-1 was an autogyro developed in the United States in the early 1930s.[1] Of similar configuration to Pitcairn's earlier machines, the PAA-1 had an airplane-like fuselage with two open cockpits in tandem and a tractor-mounted engine in the nose.[2] It was also equipped with small wings, which carried control surfaces, rather than using the rotor for flight control.[2] It was a smaller and lighter machine than its predecessors and was designed specifically with private pilots in mind.[1][2]
| PAA-1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| This Pitcairn PAA-1 autogiro was flown at Langley for the NACA investigation of an experimental cantilevered three-bladed rotor. June 1943. | |
| Role | Sport autogyro |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company |
| First flight | 1931 |
| Number built | 25 |
Variants
edit- PAA-1 - main production version with Kinner B-5 engine[2]
- PA-20 - improved version with Kinner R-5 engine[2]
- PA-24 - version with twin tails and Kinner R-5 engine, modified from existing PAA-1s and PA-20s[2]
Specifications
editData from "Pitcairn, A G A, Pitcairn-Cierva, Pitcairn-Larsen"
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 18 ft 7 in (5.66 m)
- Wingspan: 22 ft 9 in (6.93 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Kinner B-5 , 125 hp (93 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
- Main rotor area: 10.75 sq ft (99.9 m2)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 90 mph (140 km/h, 78 kn)
- Range: 250 mi (400 km, 220 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
References
edit- Notes
- Bibliography
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
- "Pitcairn, A G A, Pitcairn-Cierva, Pitcairn-Larsen". Aerofiles. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
External links
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pitcairn PAA-1.