Helio Twin Courier
{{Infobox aircraft
|name=Twin Courier
|image=Helio U-5A Twin Courier.jpg
|caption=U-5A Twin Courier
|type = STOL light transport
|national_origin = United States of America
|manufacturer = Helio Aircraft Company
|designer =
|first_flight = April 1960
|introduction =
|retired =
|status =
|primary_user =
|more_users =
|produced =
|number_built = 7
|program cost =
|unit cost =
|developed_from = Helio Courier
|variants =
}}
The Helio Twin Courier is a twin-engined version of the Helio Courier, with very few examples being produced.
Design and development
Known by Helio as the model H-500 this STOL aircraft mounted twin Lycoming engines on top of the high-set wing, close to the fuselage.{{cite journal|journal=Flying|title=Newsreel|date=May 1962|page=69}} With the engines mounted in this manner, lateral and over-the-nose visibility were much improved while the propellers were kept clear of cabin doors and away from possible debris damage during rough field operations. This was a tail-wheel design, so the vertical component of propeller thrust assisted STOL take-off performance from rough fields.
In 1967 or 68, work was started on a redesign of the Twin Courier in a tricycle-gear configuration for the commercial market, since many firms which desired STOL capability had regulations which required multi-engine aircraft. The company ran out of money and the project was terminated.
The aircraft structure of the Helio Stallion, a single-engine turboprop version of the more successful Helio Courier, was based on the design of the Twin Courier.Discussion with Robert Devine, Principal Engineer at Helio Aircraft during the 60s, on 3/12/2010.
The Twin Courier could seat six and first flew in April 1960, being awarded FAA certification on June 11, 1963. (The Twin Courier met FAA requirements marginally and was certificated to meet immediate needs for service in Vietnam, on the understanding that the design would not be marketed commercially. Thus, the redesign mentioned above.) Only seven examples were built, these receiving the United States Armed Forces designation U-5A. One was reported to have been evaluated by US Army Special Forces. Furthermore, fully automatic full-span, leading-edge slats were fitted along with high-lift flaps.
Operators
;{{IND}}
;{{USA}}
Specifications (U-5A Twin Courier)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66 Taylor 1965, p.242.
|prime units?=imp
|genhide=
|crew=1
|capacity=5 passengers
|length m=
|length ft=32
|length in=0
|span m=
|span ft=41
|span in=0
|height m=
|height ft=8
|height in=10
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=242
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=3126
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=5850
|fuel capacity=
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=Lycoming O-540-A2B or -C2C
|eng1 type=air-cooled flat-six
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=250
|eng1 shp=
|eng1 kn=
|eng1 lbf=
|eng1 kn-ab=
|eng1 lbf-ab=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=Hartzell
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=7
|prop dia in=0
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=185
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at sea level
|max speed mach=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=166
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=(econ cruise, 60% power) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
|range km=
|range miles=1500
|range note=(max fuel)
|range nmi=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=19500
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1640
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}
References
{{commons category|Helio U-5A}}
;Notes
{{reflist}}
;Bibliography
- Taylor, John W. R. (editor). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66. London:Sampson Low, Marston, 1965.
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110608173346/http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Helio+Twin-Courier&offset=0 "Helio Twin-Courier"] Probert Encyclopaedia
- [http://www.allmetalplane.com/UNUSUALAIRP2.html "UNUSUAL AIRPLANES 2"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118112353/http://www.allmetalplane.com/UNUSUALAIRP2.html |date=2022-01-18 }} All Metal Plane
- http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1965/1965%20-%200543.html?search=Helio%20Twin%20Courier
{{Helio aircraft}}
{{US utility aircraft}}
Category:1960s United States civil utility aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1960