Atlas ACE
| ACE | |
|---|---|
| Role | Trainer |
| National origin | South Africa |
| Manufacturer | Atlas Aircraft Corporation |
| First flight | 29 April 1991 |
| Number built | 2 |
|
| |
The Atlas ACE is a South African turboprop trainer, that was designed by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation as a contender to replace the North American Harvard in service with the South African Air Force. The aircraft was not selected and only two examples were completed.
Design and development
The design originated as the 1986 Project Ovid by the government research agency Aerotek, as a composites technology demonstrator.[1] In 1991 the design was entered into a competition to replace the North American Harvard by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation as the ACE (All Composite Evaluator).
The ACE is a tandem two-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop. It has a retractable nosewheel landing gear and a conventional tail unit. The aircraft is constructed from carbon fiber composites.[1]
The prototype was first flown on 29 April 1991, but did not win the competition which was awarded to the Pilatus PC-7.[1]
On 14 January 1995 the prototype was lost in a wheels up landing at Jan Smuts Airport.[1] The second improved aircraft was scheduled to fly, but the design was not developed.
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 35 ft 5 in (10.8 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 5 in (10.8 m)
- Wing area: 193.75 ft2 (18 m2)
- Empty weight: 3406 lb (1545 kg)
- Gross weight: 4850 lb (2200 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34, 750 hp (559 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 345 mph (555 km/h)
- Range: 1266 miles (2037 km)
- Service ceiling: 33,000 ft (10,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 2750 ft/min (838 m/s)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory. London, England: Brassey's. ISBN 1-85753-198-1.