THUNDER BAY – AVIATION – Northern communities increasingly depend on a solid supply chain to get their food, fuel and medical supplies. Climate change and increasingly extreme changes in winter weather are creating problems for the winter road networks.
Category Archives: Aviation
The PT6A-27 Pilatus PC-6 Porter: Designed to Do It All
The success of the PC-6 Porter is built around its STOL capabilities. This feature makes it very sought-after for missions such as international relief, firefighting, medevac, parachuting, search and rescue, and even sightseeing.
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A Look at the PT6A-67F Powered Air Tractor AT-802 Series
When Air Tractor AT-802A, bearing serial #0700 took off last month for its home in Valencia, Spain, the occasion was not just an airplane production milestone. It also happens to be the 25th anniversary year marking FAA Type Certification of the 800-gallon capacity agricultural and firefighting airplane. Jim Hirsch, president of Air Tractor remarked, “It’s been almost 27 years since the first AT-802 test flight over Olney, Texas. The airplane had to overcome some initial hurdles, but the 802 series has become a popular aircraft that is used all over the world for a wide variety of highly specialized applications.” He continued, “Over the years we’ve focused on improving the flying qualities and handling characteristics of the 802 so that it is as enjoyable to fly as our smaller models. This makes for an extremely productive aircraft that keeps pilot fatigue at a minimum—which is another reason for the airplane’s success.”
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PT6A-67P Powered Pilatus PC-12 NG: The Survivor that Keeps Adapting
When the Pilatus PC-12 first landed on the scene back in 1989, expectations were fairly modest. Earmarked for sales in the 200 region, nobody would have been surprised if the PC-12 had come in, served its purpose, and been resigned to history along with a plethora of similar aircraft.
But this was not to be the case.
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Piper’s Impressive PT6A Powered Cheyenne III
When Piper Aircraft announced its plans to build a big-cabin turboprop in late 1977, time was of the essence – only, we didn’t know it. It took another three years to get the airplane certificated, during which time the robust state of the general aviation manufacturing economy had begun to unravel. The Cheyenne III’s main competition, the Beech Super King Air 200, introduced in 1974, had an established head start, and industry sales volume was no longer the rising road to riches during the 1980s that it had been in the 1970s.
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A Look at the PT6A-67AG Powered 710P Thrush A.K.A the 770 Fire Angel
In December 2017, The Aerotech Group, based in Kent Town, SA Australia, took possession of its new 710P Thrush. The purchase was made through Campbell Briggs of Statewide Aviation, Australia’s Thrush dealer, based in Moree NSW. The aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A-67AG engine. This may have seemed an unusual purchase to many, as The Aerotech Group has been buying Air Tractors since the early 1980s and has been a big supporter of the brand. And it still is, currently having 12 Air Tractors in its fleet.
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A Look at the PT6A-15AG Powered Air Tractor AT-402B
With the AT-402B, Air Tractor’s goal was to combine turbine power with affordability. You get both and more. It’s quiet, powerful, and fun to fly, even at the end of a long day.
The Turbine Advantage
The AT-402B is Air Tractor’s entry-level turbine ag plane, ideal for first-time turbine owners. With its legendary PT6A-15AG turbine engine, the 402B offers the power and superb handling characteristics that make it a joy to fly and the productivity that makes profits. Quick turn times, superior visibility, faster ferry speeds, ultra-quiet engine, shorter loaded take-off distances, faster climb and cruise speeds, wider spray patterns, decreased fuel and maintenance costs — get it all with the 402B. It all adds up to a healthier bottom line for your business.
AT-402B Specifications
| Engine Type: | P&W PT6A-15AG |
|---|---|
| Engine SHP: | 680 @ 2200 RPM |
| Propeller: | Hartzell HC-B3TN-3D/T10282N+4 |
| Take-off Weight: | 9,170 lbs (4.159 kg) |
| Landing Weight: | 7,000 lbs (3.175 kg) |
| Empty Weight with Spray Equipment: | 4,299 lbs (1.950 kg) |
| Useful Load: | 5,150 lbs (2.336 kg) |
| Hopper Capacity: | 400 US gal (1.514 L) |
| Fuel Capacity: | 170 US gal (644 L) |
| Wing Span: | 51 ft (15,54 m) |
| Wing Area: | 306 sq ft (28,45 m²) |
| Main Wheel Size: | 29.00 x 11-10 |
| Tail Wheel Size: | 5.00 x 5 |
AT-402B Performance
| Cruise Speed at 8,000 ft (2.438 m): | 162 mph (141 kts) |
|---|---|
| Working Speed (Typical): | 120-140 mph (104-122 kts) |
| Range – Economy Cruise at 8,000 ft (2.438 m): | 660 mi (1.062 km) |
| Stall Speed – Flaps Up: | 77 mph (66 kts) at 7,000 lbs (3.175 kg) |
| Stall Speed – Flaps Down: | 66 mph (57 kts) at 7,000 lbs (3.175 kg) |
| Stall Speed as Usually Landed: | 53 mph (46 kts) |
| Rate of Climb: | 800 fpm at 8,600 lbs (3.901 kg) |
| Take-off Distance: | 975 ft at 8,600 lbs (3.901 kg) |
AT-402B Dimensional Drawings
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Epic Aircraft E1000 wins Flying Innovation Award
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Epic Aircraft E1000 has been selected to receive Flying Magazine’s prestigious 2020 Flying Innovation Award, which recognizes the most innovative product to have reached the general aviation market in the previous year.
According to Flying, the new turboprop combines power with passion to earn Flying’s highest honor, among a strong field of 2020 Editors’ Choice Award winners.
“The team at Epic can be honestly and deeply proud of the accomplishment they’ve made with the E1000. Certified in November 2019 and delivered to its first customers this past spring, the E1000 is a true beauty. And it’s truly deserving of Flying’s 2020 Innovation Award,” said Julie Boatman, Editor-in-Chief of Flying.
“We are honored to receive the 2020 Flying Innovation Award,” said Epic CEO Doug King. “This is true validation of the incredible effort of our entire team to bring this phenomenal aircraft to market. It recognizes our unwavering commitment to a pilot-driven design process where performance, function and form are all priorities. This balance of design with engineering has allowed us to elevate industry standards and offer our customers tremendous safety, ease of operation and fun.”
Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Epic said it “continues to complete customer deliveries, with strong support from its employees, suppliers and the FAA, and expects to further accelerate production schedules in coming months.”
Powered by the Pratt & Whitney 1200-horsepower PT6A-67A engine, the all carbon fiber single-engine turboprop, the E1000 flies at max cruise speeds of 333 knots, climbs at 4,000 feet per minute, operates up to 34,000 feet, and offers a full fuel payload of 1,100 pounds. Normally, presentation of the Flying Innovation Award would take place at EAA AirVenture, but instead it will be presented to the entire Epic Aircraft team at an event this fall.
ABOUT EPIC AIRCRAFT: Epic Aircraft, LLC specializes in the design and manufacture of high performance, all composite, six-seat single-engine, turboprop aircraft. Epic is a privately held, design-driven aviation company that conducts all of its engineering, manufacturing and administrative operations at its Bend, Oregon headquarters. For more information about Epic Aircraft, please visit www.epicaircraft.com.
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A Look at the Ayres Thrush S2R Series
The S2R Series is a fixed undercarriage low-wing single-engine tailwheel configuration agricultural aircraft of all-metal construction with
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How to Recognize, Resolve and Prevent Propeller Lock-Up
This article originally appeared on the P&WC Airtime Blog.
If you’re flying a PT6A-powered aircraft and the propeller has unexpectedly locked into place, don’t panic: there’s most likely a simple explanation and an easy solution. Our expert explains all.
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