Windecker Eagle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use American English

The Eagle AC-7 Eagle 1 (USAF designation YE-5)[1] 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.[2]

Design and development

The Eagle's fuselage was molded in two pieces that were joined down the middle.[3] 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.[1] One prototype spun in on testing.[2]

Only eight Eagles were produced before production ended when the company ran out of money.[4]

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.[5][4][6][7]

Specifications

Template:Aircraft specs

References

Notes

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. a b Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  2. a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  3. Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  4. a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  6. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Bibliography

  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  • Burmeier, Beverly. "Plastic Fantastic." The History Channel Magazine, September/October, 2005, pp. 22–23.
  • "The Eagle Returns", Private Pilot Magazine, Sept. 1978.

External links