Windecker Eagle
{{Short description|American light aircraft}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
| {{Infobox Aircraft Begin
|name = Eagle |image = |caption = Model of a Windecker Eagle at Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type |type = Light aircraft |national origin=United States |manufacturer = Windecker Industries |designer = Leo and Fairfax Windecker{{cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Windecker-Eagle-Restoration-Making-Progress-224435-1.html|title=Windecker Eagle Restoration Making Progress|work=avweb.com|date=July 17, 2015 |access-date=20 July 2015}} |first flight =7 October 1967{{harvnb|Taylor| 1974|pp=481–482}} |introduced = |retired = |status = |primary user = |more users = |produced = |number built = Two prototypes and six production aircraft |developed from = |variants with their own articles =Windecker YE-5 |developed into= }} |
The Eagle AC-7 Eagle 1 (USAF designation YE-5) is an aircraft that was manufactured by Windecker Industries. It was the first composite airplane (foam and fiberglass construction) to receive FAA certification in December 1969 at a reported development cost of US$20,000,000. The fiberglass process was named "Fibaloy" by Windecker.
Design and development
The Eagle's fuselage was molded in two pieces that were joined down the middle.{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|date=April 2013|page=82|title=Composite Airplanes|author=Mark Phelps}} The first prototype had a fixed undercarriage but the second, known as the Eagle 1, had retractable tricycle gear. This aircraft first flew on 26 January 1969. One prototype spun in on testing.{{cite journal|journal=Flying|date=May 1976|page=52|title=The Loaners}}
Only eight Eagles were produced before production ended when the company ran out of money.{{cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Windecker-Eagle-Flies-Heads-To-China-225393-1.html|title=Windecker Eagle Flies, Heads To China|work=AVweb|date=December 19, 2015 |access-date=21 December 2015}}
No Eagle had been flying for many years, but one was restored and flown in December 2015, by Don Atchison, Mike Moore and a team commissioned by Chinese entrepreneur Wei Hang. Wei Hang holds the rights and the type certificate and plans to produce the aircraft in China for Asian sales.{{cite web |first=Elaine |last=Kauh |url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Windecker-Eagle-Restoration-Under-Way-223840-1.html |title=Windecker Eagle Restoration Underway |work=avweb.com|agency=Aviation Publishing Group |date=10 April 2015 |access-date=14 April 2015 }}{{cite news |first=William |last=Garvey |url=http://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/first-all-composite-aircraft-being-readied-fly-again |title=First All-Composite Aircraft Being Readied To Fly Again |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |date=17 April 2015 |access-date=21 April 2015 }}
Specifications
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72{{Harvnb|Taylor|1971|pp=422–423}}
|prime units?=imp
|genhide=
|crew=1
|capacity=3 passengers
|length m=8.7
|length ft=28.5
|length in=
|length note=
|span m=
|span ft=32
|span in=0
|span note=
|width note=
|height m=
|height ft=9
|height in=5
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=167
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=5.82:1
|airfoil=NACA 642415
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=2150
|empty weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=3400
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity={{convert|86|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}}
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Continental IO-520C
|eng1 type=air-cooled flat-six engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=285
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=McCauley constant-speed propeller
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=7
|prop dia in=0
|prop dia note=
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=211
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=204
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=66
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=(flaps down)
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=260
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=1232
|range nmi=
|range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=18000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1220
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=*Takeoff run to 50 ft (15 m): {{convert|1310|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
- Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): {{convert|1330|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
|avionics=
}}
References
= Notes =
{{Reflist}}
= Bibliography =
- {{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=John W. R. |editor-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72 |year=1971 |location=London |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.|isbn=0-354-00094-2}}
- {{cite book |title= Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1974-75|editor-last= Taylor |editor-first= John W. R. |year=1974|publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |location= London|isbn=0-354-00502-2}}
- Burmeier, Beverly. "Plastic Fantastic." The History Channel Magazine, September/October, 2005, pp. 22–23.
- "The Eagle Returns", Private Pilot Magazine, Sept. 1978.
External links
- [https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/windecker-eagle-i/nasm_A19850619000 Windecker Eagle I article] at [http://www.nasm.si.edu Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080605175518/http://www.eaglebehindthecurtain.com/WindeckerEagle/tabid/55/Default.aspx Windecker Eagle stealth prototypes] at [http://www.eaglebehindthecurtain.com/ Eagle Behind the Curtain]
- [https://marian120.tripod.com/index_files/WindeckerEagle.htm The Windecker Eagle]
Category:1960s United States civil utility aircraft