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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
|name = M-18 Dromader
|name = M-18 Dromader
|image = South Dakota M-18B Dromader.jpg
|image = File:PZL-Mielec M-18B Dromader, Greece - Air Force (cropped).jpg
|caption = M-18B Dromader used in [[South Dakota]]
|caption = M-18B Dromader in flight
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
|type = Utility aircraft
|type = Utility aircraft
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|introduction =
|introduction =
|retired =
|retired =
|status =
|status = Active, in production
|primary user =
|primary user =
|more users =
|more users =
|produced =
|produced = 1976-present
|number built = 759+
|number built = 759+
|unit cost =
|unit cost =
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|}
|}


The '''PZL-Mielec M-18 ''Dromader''''' ([[Polish language|Polish]]: "[[Dromedary]]") is a single engine [[agricultural aircraft]] that is manufactured by PZL-Mielec in [[Poland]]. The aircraft is used mainly as a [[cropduster]] or [[firefighting]] machine.
The '''PZL-Mielec M-18 ''Dromader''''' ([[English language|English]]: "[[Dromedary]]") is a single engine [[agricultural aircraft]] that is manufactured by PZL-Mielec in [[Poland]]. The aircraft is used mainly as a [[cropduster]] or [[firefighting]] machine.


==Development==
==Development==
[[PZL-Mielec]], then known as WSK-Mielec, began to design the Dromader in the mid 1970s, with help of [[United States]] aircraft manufacturer [[Rockwell International]]. PZL-Mielec asked for Rockwell's help because of the political situation at the time: operating in an [[Eastern Bloc]] country, PZL wanted the aircraft to sell well worldwide, and the company realized that [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] certification would be important in reaching that goal. Rockwell on the other hand wanted to fit Polish high-power radial engines into its agricultural planes. As a result of this cooperation the [[Rockwell Thrush Commander]] aircraft was fitted with the [[PZL-3]] engine, and the Polish designers created the higher payload M-18 Dromader by introducing the more powerful [[PZL ASz-62|ASz-62]] engine, making structural changes to the airframe, and increasing dimensions. This co-operation meant that the Dromader shares outer wing panels and part of a fuselage with the Thrush Commander.
[[PZL-Mielec]], then known as WSK-Mielec, began to design the Dromader in the mid 1970s, with help of [[United States]] aircraft manufacturer [[Rockwell International]]. PZL-Mielec asked for Rockwell's help because of the political situation at the time: operating in an [[Eastern Bloc]] country, PZL wanted the aircraft to sell well worldwide, and the company realized that certification by the United States [[Federal Aviation Administration]] would be important in reaching that goal. Rockwell on the other hand wanted to fit Polish high-power radial engines into its agricultural planes. As a result of this cooperation the [[Rockwell Thrush Commander]] aircraft was fitted with the [[PZL-3]] engine, and the Polish designers created the higher payload M-18 Dromader by introducing the more powerful [[PZL ASz-62|ASz-62]] engine, making structural changes to the airframe, and increasing dimensions. The cooperation led to the Dromader sharing outer wing panels and part of the fuselage with the Thrush Commander.


The first prototype of the aircraft flew on August 27, 1976. In September [[1978 in aviation|1978]], the aircraft was given certification to fly in Poland. Certifications from many countries around the world followed soon.
The first prototype of the aircraft flew on August 27, 1976. In September [[1978 in aviation|1978]], the aircraft was given certification to fly in Poland. Certifications from many countries around the world followed soon.


Many aircraft of the M-18 type and its variations can still be seen around the world. They were sold to 24 countries, over 200 are used in the USA.<ref name=mielec/> In 2008, fifteen were sold to China.<ref name=grusz/> The Dromader is still in PZL-Mielec offer the (as of 2017), but the production has been halted.<ref name=grusz>Gruszczyński, Jerzy. ''W pierwszej lidze dostawców'', "Lotnictwo Aviation International" Nr. 9/2017, p. 35-36 (in Polish)</ref> The produced aircraft are still refurbished instead, with new engines (produced by WSK "PZL-Kalisz").<ref name=grusz/> There are plans to acquire rights and renew the production in WZL-2 in [[Bydgoszcz]].<ref name=grusz/>
Many aircraft of the M-18 type and its variations can still be seen around the world. They were sold to 24 countries, over 200 are used in the US.<ref name=mielec/> In 2008, fifteen were sold to China.<ref name=grusz/> In 2012, PZL-Mielec was still selling models M-18B and M-18BS, with 759 built in total.<ref name=mielec>[http://www.pzlmielec.pl/oferta/produkty/m18-dromader/opis-ogolny/ M-18 Dromader on PZL Mielec homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231171756/http://www.pzlmielec.pl/oferta/produkty/m18-dromader/opis-ogolny |date=2017-12-31 }} [retrieved 24-1-2012] {in Polish}</ref> {{Asof|2017}}, the Dromader was sold by PZL-Mielec, but the production has been halted.<ref name=grusz>Gruszczyński, Jerzy. ''W pierwszej lidze dostawców'', "Lotnictwo Aviation International" Nr. 9/2017, p. 35-36 (in Polish)</ref> The produced aircraft are still refurbished instead, with new engines (produced by WSK "PZL-Kalisz").<ref name=grusz/> There are plans to acquire rights and renew the production in WZL-2 in [[Bydgoszcz]].<ref name=grusz/>

Some 759 had been built.<ref name=mielec>[http://www.pzlmielec.pl/oferta/produkty/m18-dromader/opis-ogolny/ M-18 Dromader on PZL Mielec homepage] [retrieved 24-1-2012] {in Polish}</ref> Currently (2012) models M-18B and M-18BS are offered by PZL-Mielec.<ref name=mielec/>

[[File:PZL-M18B Dromader PICT20005.jpg|thumb|250px|PZL M-18B Dromader as waterbomber]]


==Variants==
==Variants==
[[File:PZL-M18 SP-ZWE IMGP2950.JPG|thumb|A M-18 fly over]]
[[File:PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader lineup PER Wheatley.jpg|thumb|Lineup of 4 M-18s at [[Perth Airport]] on standby for the [[bushfire]] season (early 2000s)]]

[[File:PZL-Mielec M-21 Dromader Mini SP-YFK OTT 2013 03.jpg|thumb|M-21 Dromader Mini]]
;M-18:original one-seat production version, {{As of|2002|alt=now}} available for special orders only.
;M-18:original one-seat production version, {{As of|2002|alt=now}} available for special orders only.
;M-18A:two seater available from [[1984 in aviation|1984]] onwards. Allows a mechanic or chemical loader to be carried as a passenger to remote fields.
;M-18A:two seater available from [[1984 in aviation|1984]] onwards. Allows a mechanic or chemical loader to be carried as a passenger to remote fields.
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;M-18C:version with more powerful 895&nbsp;kW (1,200&nbsp;hp) [[Kalisz K-9]] engine. Flown in [[1995 in aviation|1995]] but not produced.
;M-18C:version with more powerful 895&nbsp;kW (1,200&nbsp;hp) [[Kalisz K-9]] engine. Flown in [[1995 in aviation|1995]] but not produced.
;M-18/T45 Turbine Dromader:[[turboprop]] powered with [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A]]-45 engine. First flew in [[1985 in aviation|1985]] and was given FAA certification in April [[1986 in aviation|1986]].
;M-18/T45 Turbine Dromader:[[turboprop]] powered with [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A]]-45 engine. First flew in [[1985 in aviation|1985]] and was given FAA certification in April [[1986 in aviation|1986]].
[[File:PZL-Mielec M-21 Dromader Mini SP-YFK OTT 2013 03.jpg|thumb|M-21 Dromader Mini]]
;M-21 Dromader Mini:smaller variant (1100&nbsp;kg of chemicals), flown in 1982, not produced.
;M-21 Dromader Mini:smaller variant (1100&nbsp;kg of chemicals), flown in 1982, not produced.
;[[PZL M-24 Dromader Super|M-24 Dromader Super]]:bigger variant (2000&nbsp;kg of chemicals), flown in 1987, not produced.
;[[PZL M-24 Dromader Super|M-24 Dromader Super]]:bigger variant (2000&nbsp;kg of chemicals), flown in 1987, not produced.
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===Military===
===Military===
[[File:Piknik Lotniczy PZL-M-18 Dromader (cropped).jpg|thumb|A M-18 Dromader water drop]]
;{{flag|Croatia}}
;{{flag|Croatia}}
*[[Croatian Air Force]] - Former operator.
*[[Croatian Air Force]] - Former operator.
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;{{MNE}}
;{{MNE}}
*[[Montenegrin Air Force]]
*[[Montenegrin Air Force]]
;{{SRB}} -Former operator
;{{SRB}} - Agricultural Aviation
;Iran airforce


===Civil===
===Civil===
The Dromader is in service with aerial agriculture and other companies in many countries, operating in a variety of roles. The former Yugoslav Airline, Jugoslovenski Aerotransport, used it for cropspraying.
The Dromader is in service with aerial agriculture and other companies in many countries, operating in a variety of roles. The former Yugoslav Airline, Jugoslovenski Aerotransport, used it for cropspraying.


==Specifications (M-18B Dromader)==
==Specifications (M18B Dromader)==
{{Aircraft specs
[[File:M-18B Dromader Dropping water.jpg|thumb|right|M-18B Dromader dropping water]]
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004,<ref name="JAWA03 p338-9">Jackson 2003, pp. 338–339.</ref> Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2004-05,<ref name=JAWA2004-05>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2004-05 |editor1-last=Jackson |editor1-first=Paul |year=2005 |publisher=Jane's Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=0-7106-2614-2|pages=360–361}}</ref><ref name="Brasseys99 p450">Taylor 1999, p.450. (M-18A)</ref>
[[File:PZL M18B Dropping Water.jpg|thumb|M-18B Dromader dropping water]]
|prime units?=met
[[File:PZL-Mielec M18 Dromader.jpg|thumb|PZL-Mielec M18 Dromader]]
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{{Aircraft specifications
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|range main=970 km
|max speed note=with agricultural equipment
|range alt= 523 nmi, 602 miles
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|similar aircraft=
|similar aircraft=
*[[Embraer EMB 202 Ipanema]]
*[[Embraer EMB 202 Ipanema]]
* [[Piper PA-25 Pawnee]]
* [[PZL-106 Kruk]]
* [[PZL-106 Kruk]]
* [[Zlin Z-37 Cmelak]]
* [[Zlin Z-37 Cmelak]]
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|PZL M18 Dromader}}
{{Commons category|PZL M18 Dromader}}
* [http://www.pzlmielec.pl/en/offer/products/m18-dromader/general-description/ PZL-Mielec page]
* [http://www.pzlmielec.pl/en/offer/products/m18-dromader/general-description/ PZL-Mielec page]{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://dromader-mini.info/ PZL M21 Dromader Mini]
* [http://dromader-mini.info/ PZL M21 Dromader Mini] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217080517/http://dromader-mini.info/ |date=2014-12-17 }}


{{PZL aircraft}}
{{PZL aircraft}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pzl-Mielec M-18 Dromader}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pzl-Mielec M-18 Dromader}}
[[Category:PZL aircraft|M18]]
[[Category:PZL aircraft|M18]]
[[Category:Polish agricultural aircraft 1970–1979]]
[[Category:1970s Polish agricultural aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]

Latest revision as of 16:04, 6 April 2024

M-18 Dromader
M-18B Dromader in flight
Role Utility aircraft
National origin Poland
Manufacturer PZL-Mielec
First flight 27 August 1976
Status Active, in production
Produced 1976-present
Number built 759+
Developed from Rockwell Thrush Commander

The PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader (English: "Dromedary") is a single engine agricultural aircraft that is manufactured by PZL-Mielec in Poland. The aircraft is used mainly as a cropduster or firefighting machine.

Development[edit]

PZL-Mielec, then known as WSK-Mielec, began to design the Dromader in the mid 1970s, with help of United States aircraft manufacturer Rockwell International. PZL-Mielec asked for Rockwell's help because of the political situation at the time: operating in an Eastern Bloc country, PZL wanted the aircraft to sell well worldwide, and the company realized that certification by the United States Federal Aviation Administration would be important in reaching that goal. Rockwell on the other hand wanted to fit Polish high-power radial engines into its agricultural planes. As a result of this cooperation the Rockwell Thrush Commander aircraft was fitted with the PZL-3 engine, and the Polish designers created the higher payload M-18 Dromader by introducing the more powerful ASz-62 engine, making structural changes to the airframe, and increasing dimensions. The cooperation led to the Dromader sharing outer wing panels and part of the fuselage with the Thrush Commander.

The first prototype of the aircraft flew on August 27, 1976. In September 1978, the aircraft was given certification to fly in Poland. Certifications from many countries around the world followed soon.

Many aircraft of the M-18 type and its variations can still be seen around the world. They were sold to 24 countries, over 200 are used in the US.[1] In 2008, fifteen were sold to China.[2] In 2012, PZL-Mielec was still selling models M-18B and M-18BS, with 759 built in total.[1] As of 2017, the Dromader was sold by PZL-Mielec, but the production has been halted.[2] The produced aircraft are still refurbished instead, with new engines (produced by WSK "PZL-Kalisz").[2] There are plans to acquire rights and renew the production in WZL-2 in Bydgoszcz.[2]

Variants[edit]

A M-18 fly over
M-18
original one-seat production version, now available for special orders only.
M-18A
two seater available from 1984 onwards. Allows a mechanic or chemical loader to be carried as a passenger to remote fields.
M-18AS
two-cockpit trainer version
M-18B
refined version of M-18A with increased capacity, flown in 1993.
M-18BS
two-cockpit trainer.
M-18C
version with more powerful 895 kW (1,200 hp) Kalisz K-9 engine. Flown in 1995 but not produced.
M-18/T45 Turbine Dromader
turboprop powered with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 engine. First flew in 1985 and was given FAA certification in April 1986.
M-21 Dromader Mini
M-21 Dromader Mini
smaller variant (1100 kg of chemicals), flown in 1982, not produced.
M-24 Dromader Super
bigger variant (2000 kg of chemicals), flown in 1987, not produced.
M-25 Dromader Mikro
smaller variant (500 kg of chemicals), sketch only.
AII AVA-303
The M-18 is being built in Iran as the AVA-303.

Operators[edit]

Military[edit]

A M-18 Dromader water drop
 Croatia
 Greece
 Montenegro
 Serbia - Agricultural Aviation

Civil[edit]

The Dromader is in service with aerial agriculture and other companies in many countries, operating in a variety of roles. The former Yugoslav Airline, Jugoslovenski Aerotransport, used it for cropspraying.

Specifications (M18B Dromader)[edit]

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004,[3] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2004-05,[4][5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 / 2 (M18BS)
  • Capacity: 2,500 L (660 US gal; 550 imp gal) liquid or 2,200 kg (4,900 lb) dry chemical in fibreglass hopper forward of the cockpit (smaller hopper in M18BS)
  • Length: 9.47 m (31 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 17.7 m (58 ft 1 in)
  • Height: 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) to tailfin on ground
  • Wing area: 40 m2 (430 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 7.8
  • Airfoil: root:NACA 4416; tip:NACA 4412 outer wing panels
  • Empty weight: 2,710 kg (5,975 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,200 kg (9,259 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 510 kg (1,120 lb) max fuel weight
  • Powerplant: 1 × PZL Kalisz ASz-621R 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 731 kW (980 hp)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed PZL Warszawa AW-2-30, 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) diameter constant speed aluminium alloy propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn) with agricultural equipment
  • Stall speed: 108 km/h (67 mph, 58 kn) flaps down
  • Never exceed speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
  • Range: 970 km (600 mi, 520 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi) with hopper fuel tank
  • Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
  • g limits: +3.4 / -1.4
  • Rate of climb: 6.5 m/s (1,280 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 105 kg/m2 (22 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 5.75 kg/kW (11.92 lb/hp)

See also[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b M-18 Dromader on PZL Mielec homepage Archived 2017-12-31 at the Wayback Machine [retrieved 24-1-2012] {in Polish}
  2. ^ a b c d Gruszczyński, Jerzy. W pierwszej lidze dostawców, "Lotnictwo Aviation International" Nr. 9/2017, p. 35-36 (in Polish)
  3. ^ Jackson 2003, pp. 338–339.
  4. ^ Jackson, Paul, ed. (2005). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 2004-05. London: Jane's Publishing Group. pp. 360–361. ISBN 0-7106-2614-2.
  5. ^ Taylor 1999, p.450. (M-18A)
  • Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to PZL M18 Dromader.
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