Pilatus P-3

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
P-3
Pilatus P3-03 P3-Flyers HB-RBP OTT 2013 02.jpg
Role Trainer aircraft
Manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft
First flight 3 September 1953
Introduction 1956
Status in use in private hands
Primary users Swiss Air Force
Brazilian Navy
Number built 79
Developed into Pilatus PC-7
1959 Pilatus P3-05
A civil Pilatus P-3-05
Pilatus P-3-05

The Pilatus P-3 was a military training aircraft built by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.

Design and development[]

The Pilatus P-3 was designed for primary and advanced training (including night flying, aerobatics and instrument flying). The military version was designated P-3-03. It was of all-metal construction with a retractable tricycle undercarriage and tandem seating. There was provision for underwing racks for light practice bombs or rockets and a machine gun in a pod below the port wing.

Operational history[]

The first prototype was built in 1953 and flew on 3 September, the same year.[1] The Swiss Air Force received 72 examples of this aircraft while the Brazilian Navy acquired six. The Swiss Air Force used the P-3 as a training aircraft until 1983, although it continued to be used as a liaison aircraft for another decade. In 1993–1995, 65 ex-Swiss Air Force aircraft were sold on the private market.[2]

Operators[]

 Brazil
  Switzerland

The P-3 Flyers is an independent air display team based in Switzerland.[3][4] Formed in 1996. it currently operates five ex-Swiss Air Force P3 aircraft.[5][6]

Specifications (Pilatus P-3-03)[]

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1958–59[7]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 8.75 m (28 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.40 m (34 ft 1 in)
  • Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
  • Wing area: 16.55 m2 (178.1 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 6.55:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 64A series
  • Empty weight: 1,090 kg (2,403 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,415 kg (3,120 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 160 l (42 US gal; 35 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming GO-435-C2-A2 6-cylinder air-cooled four stroke horizontally opposed piston engine, 190 kW (260 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hartzell constant-speed propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 310 km/h (190 mph, 170 kn) sea level to 2,000 m (6,562 ft) at 1,500 kg (3,307 lb) AUW
  • Cruise speed: 252 km/h (157 mph, 136 kn) economical cruise
275 km/h (171 mph; 148 kn) maximum cruise
  • Stall speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 500 km/h (310 mph, 270 kn)
  • Range: 750 km (470 mi, 400 nmi) maximum in still air
  • Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)
  • Absolute ceiling: 5,100 m (16,732 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 7 m/s (1,400 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 90.63 kg/m2 (18.56 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.12 kW/kg (0.073 hp/lb)
  • Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 342 m (1,122 ft) on hard runway at sea level
  • Landing distance from 15 m (49 ft): 390 m (1,280 ft) on hard runway at sea level

See also[]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References[]

  1. ^ Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1956). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1956-57. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd. p. 223.
  2. ^ " History: Pilatus P-3." Pilatus P-3 Retrieved: 9 November 2012.
  3. ^ The P-3 is an all-metal aircraft with tricycle landing gear Archived 2016-02-01 at the Wayback Machine, pilatus-enthusiasts.com.au (retrieved 25 January 2015)
  4. ^ Dai Pilatus P3 Trainers ai Pilatus P3 Flyers (pdf) (From Pilatus P3 trainers to Pilatus P3 flyers), retro.seals.ch (retrieved 25 January 2015)
  5. ^ Vola con il Pilatus dei P3 Flyers - Acrobazia aerea Archived 2017-05-10 at the Wayback Machine (Fly with the Pilatus P3 Flyers - Aerobatics), volarein.com (retrieved 25 January 2015)
  6. ^ P3 Flyers, Aeroclub Parma (retrieved 25 January 2015)
  7. ^ Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1958). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59. London: Jane's All the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 247.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""