Edgley EA7
| Edgley EA7 Optica | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Aerial observation aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: |
Edgley Aircraft |
| First flight: |
December 14, 1979 |
| Commissioning: |
1985 |
| Number of pieces: |
22nd |
The Edgley EA7 Optica is an aircraft produced by the British manufacturer Edgley Aircraft. The cockpit's striking appearance is based on its purpose as an aerial observation aircraft . During the design, the focus was on good slow flight characteristics and optimal visibility for the crew.
history
The design of the EA7 Optica goes back to the developer John Edgley, who as a university graduate pursued the idea for this aircraft with a few partners. The final aerodynamic design took place in 1974 and the following year the design was tested and measured in the wind tunnel . Construction of the first prototype began in London in 1976. To produce the sample, Edgley acquired Old Sarum Airfield near Salisbury and started production in the existing hangars . On December 14, 1979, the machine took off for the first time on its maiden flight with Angus McVitie at the controls .
In the years that followed, the program suffered many setbacks. Shortly after the start of series production, one of the first copies crashed. After a subsequent financial crisis, the company was taken over by Brooklands Aerospace. By the end of 1986 the company had produced 15 machines. In January 1987, however, ten specimens were destroyed by arson. In 1990 FLS Aerospace acquired the company, but focused on another development program at the expense of Optica. AGI, which acquired the rights in 1998, was also unable to continue the program due to a lack of finances. In 2007 Edgley's company AeroElvira bought everything back. Since then he has been soliciting further support and looking for buyers for the machine.
construction
The cell of the EA7 is made of aluminum. An encapsulated drive is located in the center . The five - blade ducted propeller is driven by a Lycoming IO-540 . Due to the encapsulated design, the drive produces only a very low level of noise. A special feature of the design is the arrangement of the cockpit at the front end of the hub . The pear-shaped cockpit is almost completely glazed with the exception of narrow bridges and offers the pilot and passengers an almost all-round view, also downwards. The three seats are arranged side by side. The wings are designed for low airspeeds and have no sweep . To improve slow flight characteristics, Fowler flaps with 29 percent of the wing depth are attached. The tail unit is installed on a double fuselage. Vertical stabilizers are attached to the end of both fuselage tubes, which are connected at the upper end by a common horizontal stabilizer.
Incidents
On May 15, 1985, one of the first aircraft with the serial number 004 and the registration G-KATY crashed. Both inmates were killed. During a police operation, the machine went into an increasingly steep spiral flight and finally fell into a forest. The exact cause of the accident could not be clarified. The investigators assume that the aircraft was intact until impact. A loss of engine power followed by stalling of the machine is mentioned as possible causes.
On March 11, 1990, shortly after take-off, the machine with the registration number G-BMPL gave a loud bang, followed by strong vibrations. The pilot was able to return to the airfield and make an emergency landing. Investigations showed that the ducted propeller had suffered structural failure.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| Passengers | 2 |
| length | 8.1 m |
| span | 12 m |
| height | 2.3 m |
| Wing area | 15.8 m² |
| payload | 386 kg |
| Empty mass | 850 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 1240 kg |
| Cruising speed | 70 kts (130 km / h) |
| Observation speed | 65 kts (120 km / h) |
| Top speed | 140 kts (259 km / h) |
| Service ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,300 m) |
| Range | 565 NM (1047 km) |
| Engines | Lycoming IO-540-V4A5D |
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Flight International . December 1979, p. 2111 .
- ↑ a b c Edgley seeks buyer for Optica observation aircraft. Flight Global, accessed September 21, 2014 .
- ↑ a b c Edgley EA7 Optica. Aviastar, accessed September 21, 2014 .
- ↑ Flight Global: Optica designer seeks manufacturing partners to relaunch aircraft. Retrieved September 22, 2014 .
- ^ Flight International . May 1979, p. 1591 ff .
- ^ Department of Transport, AAIB (Ed.): Report on the accident to Edgley EA7 Optica G-KATY at Ringwood, Hampshire, on May 15, 1985 . 1986, ISBN 0-11-550746-9 .
- ^ Department of Transport, AAIB (Ed.): AAIB Field Investigation EW / C1150 . 1990.
- ↑ EA7 / OA-7 Optica. In: Flugzeuginfo.net. Retrieved September 21, 2014 .
- ^ Flight International . April 1984, p. 1114 .