Creative Flight Aerocat
| Creative Flight Aerocat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Aerocat prototype | |
| Role | Kit aircraft |
| National origin | Canada |
| Manufacturer | Creative Flight Auiga Design |
| Designer | Kirk Creelman |
| First flight | 15 July 2001 (single engine) 5 September 2002 (twin) |
| Introduction | 2001 |
| Number built | One (2011) |
| Unit cost |
$119,000 single engine kit, $124,000 twin engine kit (2009) |
The Creative Flight Aerocat is a Canadian mid-wing, all composite, four passenger experimental aircraft that can be configured for amphibious float operations. The aircraft was supplied in kit form by Creative Flight of Haliburton, Ontario, now called Auiga Design, for amateur construction.[1][2][3]
Design and development
Development started in 1998 on the MPA Aerocat. In 2002, the vehicle was renamed the Creative Flight Aerocat.[4]
The all composite aircraft features a distinctive gull-wing design with pods that floats can attach to. A twin engine variant is powered by two Jabiru 3300 engines. In both the case of the single and twin engined versions, the engines are mounted in pusher configuration on a composite arch behind the cockpit.[2]
Operational history
The single engine prototype flew in 2001, then was retrofitted for twin engine operations and flown in 2002. Shortly afterward the aircraft was test flown with floats.[5] In 2003, the prototype was flown to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow and displayed.[1]
As of 2011 the prototype, C-GYCC, remained the sole example flying.[2][3][6]
Variants
- SR
- Single engine version with retractable gear, powered by two Jabiru 3300 120 hp (89 kW) engines.[2]
- SRX
- Single engine version with retractable gear and floats, powered by two Jabiru 3300 120 hp (89 kW) engines or one Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-21 turboprop producing 480 hp (358 kW)[2][3]
- TR
- Twin engine version with retractable gear, powered by a Crossflow CF4-20THO 250 hp (186 kW) engine[2]
- TR
- Twin engine version with retractable gear and floats, powered by a Crossflow CF4-20THO 250 hp (186 kW) engine[2]
Specifications (Aerocat SR)
Data from Creative Flight[1]
General characteristics
- Empty weight: 794 kg (1,750 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,361 kg (3,000 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 68 gallons
- Powerplant: 1 × Crossflow CF4-20THO , 190 kW (250 hp)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 298 km/h; 161 kn (185 mph)
- Stall speed: 80 km/h; 43 kn (50 mph)
- Rate of climb: 6.1 m/s (1,200 ft/min)
References
- 1 2 3 "Aerocat". Retrieved 14 Feb 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 47. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- 1 2 3 Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 43. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
- ↑ Janes All the World's Aircraft. 2005.
- ↑ "Creative Flight Aerocat (Canada), Aircraft - Fixed-wing - Civil". Retrieved 14 Feb 2011.
- ↑ Transport Canada (February 2011). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Retrieved 15 February 2011.