PAC Cresco
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=June 2010}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = PAC Cresco
|image = File:ZK-LTU.jpg
|caption =
|type = Turboprop agricultural aircraft
|manufacturer = Pacific Aerospace Corporation.
|designer =
|first_flight = 28 February 1979
|introduction = 1979
|retired =
|status = In service
|primary_user =
|produced = 1979-2003, 2019-present
|number_built = 40
|developed_from = Fletcher FU-24
|variants =
|developed_into = PAC P-750 XSTOL
}}
The PAC Cresco is a turboprop-powered derivative of the Fletcher FU-24 (later called the PAC Fletcher) aerial topdressing aircraft, manufactured by the Pacific Aerospace Corporation in Hamilton, New Zealand. The Cresco was superseded by the PAC P-750 XSTOL in the early 21st century, but in 2019 was returned to production with the first new aircraft being completed 3 December 2020.{{Cite web|title=Pacific Aerospace|url=https://www.facebook.com/pacific.aerospace.1/posts/3580397941981759 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/512082078813376/3580397941981759 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|access-date=2020-12-25|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}}{{cbignore}}
Design and development
The Cresco is a low-wing monoplane which, like the Fletcher but unlike most topdressers, has tricycle undercarriage and places the cabin forward of the hopper, at the leading edge of the wing - which gives the pilot of the Cresco a good field of vision. The high-lift wing has pronounced dihedral on the outer span. The prototype Cresco (ZK-LTP) had an all-moving tailplane, but was lost when the tailplane separated in flight, (the pilot parachuting to safety). Subsequent aircraft have had conventional tails.
Sales of the Cresco were not as impressive as those of the piston-engine powered Fletcher, with only 39 examples being built before production was terminated. The Cresco has been sold in several countries and has pioneered new utility roles not explored by the Fletcher. Although used primarily to spread superphosphate fertiliser, the Cresco is also used in the utility role, especially as a skydiving platform, where its fast rate of climb ({{convert|1560|ft/min|m/s|disp=comma|abbr=on}}) has made it popular, and as a firefighting water bomber, a role it can perform with little alteration from its standard agricultural layout. One aircraft has been converted for aeromagnetic survey. A disadvantage in the utility role is the low internal volume available for the relatively high-powered engine.
File:PAC Cresco in flight in topdressing duty.jpg
The Cresco is normally flown by a single pilot, but has a second seat in all versions. It can carry nine sky divers. Usual powerplant is a {{convert|750|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-34AG.
The PAC 750XL, a utility aircraft was derived from the Cresco, and retains its high-lift wing. As of January 2019 120 PAC 750XL's have been produced and it remains in high demand as an uncompromising utility aircraft able to operate in hot and high conditions.
Cresco II
On 17 December 2019 Pacific Aerospace posted on Facebook an announcement by CEO Mark Crouch that the type would return to production as the Cresco II, with some modifications regarding pilot safety and comfort, for the New Zealand customer Rural Air Work Ltd.{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/512082078813376/posts/2678422368845992/?d=n |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/512082078813376/2678422368845992 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=BRINGING BACK A LEGEND |access-date= 22 February 2020}}{{cbignore}}
Variants
;Cresco 08-600
:Initial production version, powered by 447 kW (600 shp) Lycoming LTP 101-700A-1A engine.Jackson 2003, p. 322.
;Cresco 08-750
:More powerful version with 559 kW (750 shp) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG engine. Production from 1992.
;Cresco II
:Improved cockpit sealing and air conditioning, more use of P-750 components, a carbon fiber engine cowl, and an EFIS avionics setup. Production from 2019.
Specifications (Cresco 08-600)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89Taylor 1988, p.179.
|prime units?=met
|genhide=
|crew=2
|capacity=
- Up to seven passengers (utility configuration) or
- {{convert|1779|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}} liquid chemicals or
- {{convert|1860|kg|lb|abbr=on}} dry chemicals
|length m=11.07
|length ft=
|length in=
|length note=
|span m=12.81
|span ft=
|span in=
|span note=
|height m=3.63
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=27.31
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=1270
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=3175
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=(agricultural)
|fuel capacity={{convert|545.5|L|impgal USgal|0|abbr=on}}
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Lycoming LTP101-700A-1-A
|eng1 type=turboprop
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=
|eng1 shp=600
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number=3
|prop name=Hartzell HC-B2TN-3D/T10282 constant-speed propeller
|prop dia m=2.59
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=274
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at sea level
|cruise speed kmh=250
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=(75% power)
|stall speed kmh=97
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=(flaps down, power off)
|never exceed speed kmh=328
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=852
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=18000
|ceiling note=(absolute ceiling)
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1245
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|sink rate ms=
|sink rate ftmin=
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|disk loading kg/m2=
|disk loading lb/sqft=
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=*Take-off run to 15 m (50 ft): {{convert|436|m|ft|-1|abbr=on}}
- Landing run from 15 m (50 ft): {{convert|500|m|ft|-1|abbr=on}}
}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
- Ewing, Ross and MacPherson, Ross The History of New Zealand Aviation, Heinemann, 1986
- Geelen, Janic The Topdressers NZ Aviation Press. Te Awamutu, 1983.
- Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003-2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group. {{ISBN|0-7106-2537-5}}.
- Knowles, Alan, New Zealand Aircraft, IPL Books, Wellington, 1990.
- Taylor, John W. R. (editor). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data. {{ISBN|0-7106-0867-5}}.
External links
{{commons category|PAC Cresco}}
- [http://www.aerospace.co.nz/ Manufacturer's web site]
- [http://www.aerospace.co.nz Utility Aircraft, the US Distributor]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20050715015057/http://www.sfu.ca/casr/bg-arcticutility-pac.htm RCAF requirement]
- [https://www.cresco2.co.nz/ Cresco web site]
{{Pacific Aerospace aircraft}}
Category:1970s New Zealand agricultural aircraft
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:Single-engined turboprop aircraft