Western Hirondelle
| Hirondelle | |
|---|---|
| Role | Homebuilt monoplaneTemplate:Short description |
| National origin | Canada |
| Manufacturer | Western Aircraft Supplies |
| First flight | 1976 |
Western Hirondelle (specifically the Western PGK-1 Hirondelle) is a Canadian two-seat aircraft for cross country and recreational flying, designed by Western Aircraft Supplies to be homebuilt from plans. The name is French for the Swallow, and the model designation includes the initials of the designers Jean Peters, Glenn Gibb, and John Kopala.
Description
The prototype first flew in 1976. The Hirondelle is built primarily of wood and cloth. It is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a fixed tail-wheel landing gear and seats two side-by-side. It was designed for the Lycoming O-235 but accommodates engines from Script error: No such module "convert"..
The primary wing structure is a wood box spar connected to an aileron spar by ribs cut on a band saw. To the front of the main spar are strapped D-shaped fiberglass fuel tanks which can carry up to 12 imperial gallons per wing. Over the tanks is the framing and plywood skin of the wing's nose. Behind the main spar, the wings are covered in cloth. The wing section is the NACA 23012 with a Script error: No such module "convert". chord; the wing is rectangular, being straight and untapered. No flaps were fitted to the prototype, but they were being considered.[1]
The fuselage is built up from spruce and covered in Script error: No such module "convert". plywood. Cabin width on the prototype was Script error: No such module "convert".. The main gear uses Wittman tapered rods and was designed to take standard Cessna wheel pants. As with the Wittman Tailwind, the mains connect to the engine mount. The wing tanks feed a Script error: No such module "convert". header tank through automotive electric fuel pumps. The header tank feeds the engine by gravity.[1]
The prototype weight includes an upholstered interior, a full electrical system and venturi driven gyros. With its Script error: No such module "convert". engine it can cruise at Script error: No such module "convert". at 2500 rpm.[1]
Specifications
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Jodel DR1050 Excellence
- SAN Jodel D.150 Mascaret
- Piel Emeraude
- Turner T-40A
- McLeod Cavalier SA102 series
References
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- Cox, Jack, "The PGK-1 Hirondelle," Sport Aviation 1978-01, pp. 23–25
Notes
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