Valmet PIK-23 Towmaster
{{Short description|1980s Finnish light aircraft}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = PIK-23 Towmaster
|image = Towmaster-oh-tow-1981.jpg
|caption =
|type = Glider-tower/primary trainer
|manufacturer = Valmet
|designer =
|first_flight = March 22, 1982
|introduction = 1982
|retired =
|status =
|primary_user =
|more_users =
|produced = 1982-83
|number_built = 2
|unit cost =
|developed_from = PIK-19 Muhinu
}}
The Valmet PIK-23 Towmaster or Suhinu is a Finnish two-seater glider-towing/primary trainer aircraft built entirely out of composite materials in the early 1980s.
Design and development
The Finnish technology students aviation club (PIK) suggested in the 1970s, that a new aircraft should be developed for glider towing. The work focused on the improvement of a previous design, the PIK-19 Muhinu. Later on, the Helsinki University of Technology and Valmet Oy joined the project and the design process started from scratch. The goal was to develop a target/glider tower, which also could be used for basic training. It was given the name "PIK-23 Towmaster".
Only two aircraft were manufactured, one at Valmet and one at the Helsinki University of Technology. The first aircraft, OH-TOW, made its maiden flight on March 22, 1982, flown by Mikko Järvi. The second aircraft, OH-TUG, flew the following year.
Valmet marketed the aircraft intensively, but no orders followed. It was also investigated if the aircraft could be sold in parts, for self-assembly, in order to lower the price. In its intended role as a glider tower, the PIK-23 has been quite successful.
Specifications (PIK-23)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83 Taylor 1982, p. 49.
|prime units?=met
|genhide=
|crew=2
|capacity=
|length m=7.19
|length ft=
|length in=
|span m=10.00
|span ft=
|span in=
|height m=2.90
|height ft=
|height in=
|wing area sqm=14.00
|wing area sqft=
|aspect ratio=7.14:1
|airfoil=NACA 632415 (modified)
|empty weight kg=590
|empty weight lb=
|max takeoff weight kg=870
|gross weight lb=
|fuel capacity={{convert|200|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}}
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Avco Lycoming O-360-A4M
|eng1 type=air-cooled flat-four piston engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=180
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=Hoffmann fixed pitch
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=250
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at sea level
|cruise speed kmh=220
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed note=at {{convert|3660|m|ft|abbr=on}} (65% power)
|stall speed kmh=78
|stall speed note=(flaps down)
|never exceed speed kmh=281
|range km=1250
|range miles=
|range note=at {{convert|3660|m|ft|abbr=on}} (65% power)
|endurance=6 hr 30 min (55% power)
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1142
|more performance=*Takeoff run to 15 m (50 ft): {{convert|320|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|avionics=
}}
See also
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{Aircontent|
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|sequence=
|lists=
|see also=
}}
References
{{commons category|Valmet PIK-23 Towmaster}}
;Notes
{{reflist}}
;Bibliography
- Taylor, John W.R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. {{ISBN|0-7106-0748-2}}.
{{PIK aircraft}}
{{Valtion lentokonetehdas aircraft}}
Category:1980s Finnish civil utility aircraft
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1982