Transavia PL-12
| Transavia PL-12 Airtruk | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Agricultural aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
April 22, 1965 |
| Production time: |
1966-1993 |
| Number of pieces: |
118 |
The Transavia PL-12 Airtruk is a single-engine agricultural aircraft manufactured by the Australian company Transavia Corporation .
description
The Transavia company further developed the Bennett Airtruck , which was created in 1960 . The aircraft is specially designed for use in Australia and New Zealand. The working width during a flight was up to 32 m. The chemical tank held 818 liters. The design with two widely spaced tail girders enabled a truck to approach the fuselage from behind for loading. The aircraft was able to take off and land on small unpaved airfields. In the rear part of the fuselage there was a cabin with two seats for auxiliary personnel. The first flight of the prototype took place on April 22, 1966. Series production began in November 1966.
Versions
- PL-12 U Flying Mango
The Transavia PL-12 U Flying Mango had an enlarged fuselage and could carry up to four people in addition to the pilot. One passenger sat with his back to the pilot, three other passengers sat in a cabin below the cockpit. After removing the passenger seats, the machine could be used as a cargo aircraft with a payload of 680 kg. It could also be used as an ambulance aircraft with two seats and space for two stretchers. Furthermore, the use as an aerial photo machine, reconnaissance aircraft, liaison aircraft and ground combat support was offered.
The first flight of the PL-12 U was on December 18, 1970. Series production began in 1975.
construction
The aircraft was a strutted one and a half-decker in all-metal construction. The fuselage consisted of a tubular steel gondola. The aircraft has a rigid nose wheel landing gear with hydraulically operated disc brakes. An emergency spur was attached under each of the side fins. The flaps had the positions 0 °, 13 ° and 30 °. A boundary layer fence was installed on the upper wing . To improve visibility, the cockpit was arranged above the engine. The tail unit consisted of two parts. Each part sat on a tail boom, which was connected to a wing. The elevators were offset upwards on the tail units. The PL-12 U could be equipped with floats.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| Passengers | 2 (PL-12 U: 4) |
| length | 6.4 m |
| span | 12.0 m |
| height | 2.7 m |
| Wing area | 23.8 m² |
| Empty mass | 820 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 1,850 kg |
| Cruising speed | 215 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 6,890 m |
| Range | 610 km |
| Engine | an air-cooled Continental IO-520-D boxer engine with 220 kW |
literature
- Wilfried Copenhagen , Rolf Neustädt: The large aircraft type book. Transpress Verlag, Berlin.