lUnusual Aircraft

I saw many Pilatus Porters in Vietnam. We called them the 4-85. Take off speed 85 KIAS, top speed 85 KIAS, cruise speed 85 KIAS, and landing speed 85 KIAS.

Origional manufacturer was Helio of Pittsburgh, Kansas, I believe there were two versions used by the Air Force (and the CIA), the Courier (piston engined) and the Super Courier (turbo prop). I also have heard them referred to as the Stallion and the Super Stallion. There are a couple of the Supers on the airshow circuit this year. I checked the Type Certificate Data sheets and none are listed for either of the aircraft, so must be certified in the Experimental class. I don't know of any aircraff which are prohibited from flying here in the states, they (the FAA) just put restrictions on when and where you will fly them. After dealing with them for 30+ years, I've decided that the FAAs attitude on a lot of wxperimental aircraft is, "If you want to kill yourself in a flying machine, its all right. But we intend to see that you don't take anyone with you".

Murphy's third Rule of Combat:

You are not Superman. Marines and Fighter pilots take notice.

Ray, it is spelled Schweizer. No "t" in it. I have to write to "Hobby zone" to tell them that to. :) I'm not sure how much info I can give, but yes we have some projects in the works for our friends in the government. I work at Schweizer Aircraft Corp. and like the helicopters we build very much. They are good solid piston engine aircraft. Great safety record to.

A Toast.....

.... to the STOL aircraft!

The first one I encountered was a Maule at a fly-in at my hometown airport when I was a kid; after returning home on my bike, I told about how this little airplane was just barely rolling when it took off, and climbed out really steep! The Fam (who weren't into matters of Aviation), blew it off as a "Tall Tale" with laghter.

The "Courier " in question could have very well been an X-Air America bird?
Frank

I think that you will find that the "not autherised to fly in America" line is taken from the film Air America, which i think stared Mel Gibson.
Dai

I think the Super Couriers were American made, so why they wouldn't have American certification would be mystifying to me.

You could perhaps have seen a Pilatus Porter. Its a Swiss built aircraft noted for its excellent lifting abilities from short and rough airfields. I'm not certain if its certified to fly in America or not.

And speaking of powered gliders, the Air Force had a couple of modified/motorized Sweitzer(Sp?) 2-32 sailplanes that were used for
sneaky purposes.
Ray

I knew that somewhere out there was the answer. Thanks for the info. I had to occasions to ride in one twice while at NKP(litter Bug) missions over Laos. Flew more like a powered glider than anyhing else.

Hi didfal,

Not athorized to fly in the U.S., aye? Hmmmm.... don't know what regulations are in place now, but they sure use to operated within the United States.

Watched one land and take-off from the "Swope Farm" airport in Fan Rock, WV one time.... (that doesn't sound like any big deal, does it?) Below is a picture of "Swope Fram", which is 1,250' long, and slopes sharply downhill: dropping from 1,800' elevation to 1,665' - a grade of 11%!


Below is Info on the Helio Super Courier:
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The Super Courier is a light utility transport developed from a civilian design first tested in 1949. Its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability allows it to operate from a clearing the size of a football field, and its ability to fly very slowly at speeds of approximately 25 to 35 mph makes it an excellent aircraft for visual reconnaissance.

The original version of the USAF Super Courier made its first flight in 1958. The USAF purchased three aircraft for evaluation the same year, designating them L-28As and later redesignating them U-10As. Eventually, more than 100 additional U-10As were ordered, mainly for use by air commando units in Southeast Asia. It was used for liaison, light cargo, small supply drop operations, psychological warfare (dropping leaflets and broadcasting propaganda), forward air controller (FAC) and reconnaissance missions.

The U-10D on display has been painted and marked as an aircraft assigned to the 5th Air Commando Squadron in Southeast Asia in 1968.

SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 39 ft.
Length: 30 ft. 8 in.
Height: 8 ft. 10 in.
Weight: 3,600 lbs. loaded
Armament: None
Engine: One Lycoming GO-480 six-cylinder engine of 295 hp.
Crew: One (plus five passengers)
Cost: $73,000
Serial number: 66-14360
C/N: 1262
Other registrations: N42022
Displayed as: 66-14374

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 180 mph.
Cruising speed: 160 mph.
Range: 1,100 miles
Service Ceiling: 20,500 ft.

Frank