Air & Space 18A

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Air & Space 18A
Type Autogyro
Manufacturer Air and Space Manufacturing, Inc.
Designed by Gilbert Devore
Maiden flight 1964
Introduced 1965
Status Out of production
Produced 1965-2000
Number built 68
Unit cost $100,000

The Air & Space 18A is a gyroplane manufactured in the central United States between 1965 and 2000.

The Air & Space 18A is one of the last three gyroplanes issued a Standard Airworthiness Certificate (September 1961) by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Contents

[edit] History of the aircraft

[edit] Development by Umbaugh

Raymond E. Umbaugh, a manufacturer of agricultural fertilizer, founded Umbaugh Aircraft Corporation in Ocala, Florida, in 1957 to develop a gyroplane based on experience he acquired while modifying single-seat Bensen Gyrocopters. Gilbert Devore commenced the design of Umbaugh's tandem two-seat jump-takeoff gyroplane in 1958, basing the rotor system on that of the Sznycer Omega BS-12 helicopter. The prototype Umbaugh U-17, built by Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation of Hagerstown, Maryland, flew in August 1959. Further test flights were conducted by chief pilot Ken Hayden and former Pitcairn Autogiro Company pilot Slim Soule. The prototype exhibited stability problems due to its single rudder and minimal T-tail horizontal stabilizer positioned on a boom behind the pusher propeller. The second prototype, named Umbaugh U-18, was fitted with a V-tail which also proved inadequate. The third empennage tested, also unsuccessfully, was a T-tail with two large vertical end plates on the horizontal tail plane. Sufficient stability was finally achieved by the use of two fixed vertical fins with a centrally mounted all-flying rudder, all mounted on a horizontal stabilizer. Umbaugh had by this time concluded an agreement for Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation to undertake final development and mass production of the U-18 as the “Flymobil.”

Fairchild built five development gyroplanes during 1960, one of which was used to gain FAA Approved Type Certificate 1H17 in September 1961. Umbaugh established a large network of dealers and distributors in the United States, upon whom he imposed minimum sales quotas to generate a large order backlog, but he experienced difficulty filling the orders due to inadequate manufacturing capability at Fairchild. Under pressure from the dealers, Umbaugh Aircraft Corporation ceased operations in 1962 and the agreement with Fairchild was terminated.

[edit] Production by Air and Space Manufacturing Inc.

About one hundred Umbaugh dealers took over the assets of Umbaugh Aircraft Corporation and in 1964 established Air and Space Manufacturing, Inc., of Muncie, Indiana, to commence production. In early 1965, the FAA awarded the corporation a production certificate for the Air & Space Model 18A gyroplane, a model which had only minor differences from the Umbaugh U-18. By late 1965 sixty-eight gyroplanes had been completed and delivered, 14 more were near completion, some were later stolen when A&S Manufacturing was in receivership. Air and Space Manufacturing, Inc., was again faced with dealer pressure for aircraft and commenced efforts to raise $2.5 million for expansion. The fund raising resulted in accusations of stock irregularities by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and though those concerned were eventually cleared of all charges, the associated costs and delays resulted in the collapse of the company in 1966.

The assets of Air and Space Manufacturing, went into storage, and were eventually (in the 1980s) acquired by one of the dealers, retired Pan Am pilot Don Farrington of Paducah, Kentucky. John Potter (former Vice President of Air & Space Manufacturing, Inc.,) went into partnership with Don Farrington until the year 2000 when Don died of a heart attack. Potter tried to re-establish the 18A program and transported an inventory of parts and some 18As to LaBelle, Florida, where he and partner Gene Ferrel established Heliplane Aircraft International Corp. Robert Kelsall of Euroa, Australia, was engaged to design a four-place version of the 18A termed 28A. Potter died of cancer in 2006 and no further 18A or 28A development has ensued.

[edit] Development by Farrington Aircraft Corp.

Initially lacking ownership of the type certificate, Farrington Aircraft Corporation remanufactured existing aircraft and also developed Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) modifications including:

  • a collective pitch trim system to allow increased cruise speed,
  • fiberglass engine cowlings and exhaust system to suppress the significant propeller and exhaust noise, and
  • a yaw warning delay circuit system.

Farrington Aircraft Corporation also operated a gyroplane pilot training facility at Farrington Airpark, a privately owned, public-use airport in Paducah, Kentucky, and engaged in extensive promotional efforts.

[edit] Production by Air and Space America, Inc.

In 1991, Farrington obtained the Air & Space 18A Type Certificate, and undertook efforts to manufacture new gyroplanes as Air and Space America, Inc. (some sources say Air & Space America Corporation). Work was also under way in 1996 to certify a Model 20A, fitted with a Lycoming IO-360 200-horsepower fuel-injected engine.

However, Farrington suffered a heart attack while flying an Air and Space 18A at an airshow in April 2000. Farrington Aircraft Corporation ceased operations shortly after, and the gyroplane assets were sold at auction.

According to John Potter, an original Umbaugh and Air & Space Manufacturing, Inc., dealer, and 22 year partner in Farrington Airpark, the Florida Airshow had finished and Farrington intended to demonstrate a recently sold 18A to its new owner. While flying at a modest speed and low level, he suffered a heart attack. The gyroplane descended slightly and rolled right. It then fell sideways with the rotor blades striking the ground after which the gyroplane skidded a short distance on its side to a stop. After surviving the initial impact, Farrington was transported to a local hospital where he expired a few days later at the age of 68 years.

[edit] Current status of the type certificate

 Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

As of 2006 the assets are held by Heliplane Aircraft Corporation in LaBelle, Florida.

Altogether, __ aircraft were produced by Umbaugh and an additional __ were made by Farrington.[citation needed]

[edit] Flight capabilities

 Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
  • The 18A has a maximum gross weight of 1800 pounds
  • Fuel tank capacity is 27.2 gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel.
  • The 18A's operating manual specifies a takeoff distance of __ feet and a landing distance of __ feet.
  • One of the notable features of the 18A is its ability to execute a jump takeoff, in which a transmission is overspeeds the rotor to approximately 370 RPM, and the takeoff button is depressed, causing the transmission to disconnect allowing the propeller RPM increasing to maximum followed 1 second later by rotor blade pitch increasing to 9.6 degrees. This causes the aircraft to leap into the air and then transition to autorotative flight within 5 seconds at gross weight rotor speed of 240 RPM.
  • The 18A holds an FAA Standard Airworthiness Certificate.
  • The 18A's FAA Type Certificate approves it for day and night VFR flight.

[edit] Technical specifications

  • The 18A cockpit and tail are of metal monocoque construction; a tube frame supports the transmission, engine, and related components.
  • The 18A uses a Lycoming O-360-A1D horizontally opposed carbureted engine.
  • The 18A has a 14 volt electrical system which can power typical aircraft communication and navigation radios, and lights for night operation.
  • Rotor hub: The rotor hub used on the 18A was adapted from that of the Snyczer Omega BS-12 heavy lift helicopter.
  • Blades: Each rotor blade is constructed of spruce and balsa wood, and covered with a fiberglass skin, and metal leading edge. Each is fitted with a forged steel blade fork and a tip weight. The NACA 0012 airfoil section is used, as was typical of rotor blades designed in the same 1950s - 1960s era, and each weighs 52 lb.
  • Propeller: Hartzell 2 or 3-blade
  • Transmission: Muncie Gear Works
  • Typical rotor speed: 220 rpm
  • The 18A uses a swashplate

[edit] Specifications (18A)

Data from All the World's Rotorcraft[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one, pilot
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 19 ft 8 in (6.04 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
  • Airfoil: NACA 0012
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,800 lb (816 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Lycoming O-360-A1D 4-cylinder horizontally-opposed carbureted piston engine, 180 hp (135 kW)
  • * Fuel capacity: 27.2 US gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel

Performance


[edit] References

The majority of this article is copied directly from www.gyroplane.aero, a website about the Air & Space 18A gyroplane.

  1. ^ Air & Space 18A "Flymobil". Retrieved on 2007-06-22.

[edit] See also

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