| content | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A500 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Adam A500 during flight test at the Mojave Spaceport | |
| Role | civil utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Adam Aircraft Industries |
| First flight | July 11, 2002 |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | 7 |
The Adam A500 is a six-seat civil utility aircraft that was produced by Adam Aircraft Industries. The aircraft is of pod-and-boom, push-pull configuration with its two Continental IO-550 piston engines mounted to provide centerline thrust.
Adam Aircraft ceased operations on 11 February, 20081, and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on 19 February, 20082, having delivered 7 A500s.
In April 2008 Adam Aircraft was purchased from bankruptcy by AAI Acquisition Inc. This new company has indicated that they will pursue certification of the A700 jet as a priority and that the A500 will not be produced in the foreseeable future due to the continuing poor market for piston-engined aircraft.34
Contents |
M-309
The A500 was developed from the M-309 CarbonAero technology demonstrator designed by Burt Rutan and built by Scaled Composites at the Mojave Airport. The "309" designation refers to this being Rutan's 309th aircraft design. The 309 first flew in March 2000, but the aircraft has since been gutted and was used as a static display outside the Adam Aircraft Industries headquarters. 5 In 2006 the 309 was loaned to the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and is now on display outside. Google Map
Description
Compared to conventional twin-engine installations, the centerline thrust arrangement reduces drag and maximizes the controllability of the aircraft should one engine malfunction or fail. This engine configuration was used by the similar Cessna Skymaster. The A500 airframe is largely built of graphite composite materials. Other features include FADEC and cabin pressurization.
The prototype A500 first flew on July 11, 2002 and was FAA certified in May 2005.
A500 payload issues
In evaluation flights conducted in 2007 the A500 was noted as being over the projected empty weight by 1,260 lb (571 kg) or 30%.6
The initial design empty weight publicized in 2003 was 4,200 lb (1905 kg), while the actual empty weight of the serial number 7 A500 was 5,460 lb (2476 kg). Initial gross weight was to be 6,300 lb (2857 kg), which has been increased to 7,000 lb (3175 kg). This resulted in a change of useful load from a forecast 2,100 lb (952 kg) to 1,540 lb (698 kg).6
With the 230 US gallon (871 liter) fuel tanks full, the available payload for crew, passengers and baggage is 160 lb (73 kg), down from a projected 720 lb (327 kg). This means that the A500 cannot carry full fuel and one standard weight adult male or female pilot.67
Adam Aircraft had intended to address the lack of useful load by demonstrating that the current 30 US gallons (114 liters) of unusable fuel is actually 10 US gallons (38 liters). This would have increased the useful load by 120 lb (54 kg) and allowed a full fuel crew weight of 280 lb (127 kg).6
Support & aircraft type club formation
The five A500s in private service have run into problems obtaining parts and at least one was reported as grounded due to parts issues in August 2008.8
The aircraft owners have organized an aircraft type club, the A500 Owners Association, with the goal of convincing the new owners of the design, AAI Acquisitions to provide parts support for the existing aircraft.8
AAI's head of customer support, Jan D'Angelo, responded saying:8
| “ | There's no economic model that justifies setting up a support team to support just five planes in the field. There's no critical mass to make it economically viable. | ” |
Popular Culture
The A500 was featured in the 2006 film Miami Vice.
Specifications (A500)
Data from Adam Aircraft9
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: five passengers
- Length: 36 ft 8 in (11.19 m)
- Wingspan: 44 ft (13.41 m)
- Height: 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
- Wing area: 170 ft² (15.79 m²)
- Empty weight: 5,160 lb (2,340 kg)
- Useful load: 1,890 lb (857 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 7,000 lb (3,175 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Teledyne Continental TSIO-550E piston engines, 350 hp (261 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 225 knots (288 mph, 461 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
- Cruise speed: 220 knots (265 mph, 425 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,705 m)
- Stall speed: 75 knots (mph, km/h)
- Range: 1,150 nm (1,320 mi, 2,130 km)
- Service ceiling 18,000 ft (5,488 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,368 ft/min (415 m/min)
- Wing loading: 37 lb/ft² (180 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 7.3 lb/hp (160 W/kg)
References
- ^ Niles, Russ (February 2008). "Adam Aircraft Suspends Operations". Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
- ^ Yamanouchi, Kelly (February 2008). "Adam Aircraft files Chapter 7". Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
- ^ Niles, Russ (April 2008). "Court Approves Adam Sale To Russian-Backed Firm". Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
- ^ AVweb Editorial Staff (August 2008). "AVwebFlash Complete Issue: Volume 14, Number 31e". Retrieved on 2008-08-01.
- ^ Adam M-309 article summary
- ^ a b c d MacClellan, J. Mac: Adam A500 Flying Magazine, December 2007, pages 54-55. Hachette Filipacchi Media.
- ^ Transport Canada (October 2007). "Aeronautical Information Manual 3.5 Weight and Balance Form". Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
- ^ a b c Grady, Mary (August 2008). "Adam A500 Owners Organize To Lobby For Support". Retrieved on 2008-08-29.
- ^ "A500 Performance and Specifications". Adam Aircraft. Retrieved on 2006-09-23.
External links
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||
