Air & Space 18A

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The Air & Space 18A is a model of autogyro or gyroplane made in the central United States between 1966 and 2000.

The Air & Space 18A is one of only three autogyros ever to be approved as a certified manufactured aircraft by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Contents 1 Company history 2 Flight capabilities 3 Technical specifications 4 External links

[edit] Company history

Raymond E. Umbaugh, a manufacturer of agricultural fertilizer, founded Umbaugh Aircraft Corporation in Ocala, Florida, in 1957 to develop a gyroplane based on experience he acquired while modifying single-seat Bensen Gyrocopters. Gilbert Devore commenced the design of Umbaugh's tandem two-seat jump-takeoff gyroplane in 1958, basing the rotor system on that of the Sznycer Omega BS-12 helicopter. The prototype Umbaugh U-17, built by Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation of Hagerstown, Maryland, flew in August 1959. Further test flights were conducted by chief pilot Ken Hayden and former Pitcairn Autogiro Company pilot Slim Soule. The prototype exhibited stability problems due to its single rudder and minimal T-tail horizontal stabilizer positioned on a boom behind the pusher propeller. The second prototype, named Umbaugh U-18, was fitted with a V-tail which also proved inadequate. Sufficient stability was finally achieved by the use of two fixed vertical fins with a centrally mounted all-flying rudder, all mounted on a horizontal stabilizer. Umbaugh had by this time concluded an agreement for Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation to undertake final development and mass production of the U-18 as the “Flymobil.”

Fairchild built five development gyroplanes during 1960, one of which was used to gain FAA Approved Type Certificate 1H17 in September 1961. Umbaugh established a large network of dealers and distributors in the United States, upon whom he imposed minumum sales quotas to generate a large order backlog, but he experienced difficulty filling the orders due to inadequate manufacturing capability at Fairchild. Under pressure from the dealers, Umbaugh Aircraft Corporation ceased operations in 1962 and the agreement with Fairchild was terminated.

About one hundred Umbaugh dealers took over the assets of Umbaugh Aircraft Corporation and in 1964 established Air and Space Manufacturing, Inc., of Muncie, Indiana, to commence production. In early 1965, the FAA awarded the corporation a production certificate for the Air & Space Model 18A gyroplane, a model which had only minor differences from the Umbaugh U-18. By late 1965 sixty-eight gyroplanes had been completed and delivered. Air and Space Manufacturing, Inc., was again faced with dealer pressure for aircraft and commenced efforts to raise $2.5 million for expansion. The fund raising resulted in accusations of stock irregularities by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and though those concerned were eventually cleared of all charges, the associated costs and delays resulted in the collapse of the company in 1966.

The assets of Air and Space Manufacturing, went into storage, and were eventually (in the 1980s) acquired by one of the dealers, retired Pan Am pilot Don Farrington of Paducah, Kentucky. Initially lacking ownership of the type certificate, Farrington Aircraft Corporation remanufactured existing aircraft and also developed Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) modifications including:

• a collective pitch trim system to allow increased cruise speed,
• fiberglass engine cowlings and exhaust system to suppress the significant propeller and exhaust noise, and
• a yaw warning delay circuit system.

Farrington Aircraft Corporation also operated a gyroplane pilot training facility at Farrington Airpark, a privately owned, public-use airport in Paducah, Kentucky, and engaged in extensive promotional efforts.

In 1991, Farrington obtained the Air & Space 18A Type Certificate, and undertook efforts to manufacture new gyroplanes as Air and Space America, Inc. Work was under way in 1996 to certify a "model 20A" which was to use the Lycoming IO360 200-horsepower engine. However, Farrington suffered a heart attack while flying an Air and Space 18A at an airshow in April 2000, and died of injuries suffered in the resulting crash. Farrington Aircraft Corporation ceased operations shortly after, and the gyroplane assets were sold at auction. As of 2006 the assets are held by Heliplane Aircraft Corporation in LaBelle, Florida.

[edit] Flight capabilities

• The 18A has a maximum gross weight of __ pounds
• Fuel tank capacity is __ gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel.
• The 18A's operating manual specifies a takeoff distance of __ feet and a landing distance of __ feet.
• One of the notable features of the 18A is its ability to execute a "jump takeoff," where the engine-to-rotor transmission is used to overspeed the rotors to approximately 160 RPM, and the "jump button" is depressed, causing the rotors to immediately move to full ___. The jump button simultaneously releases the transmission, allowing the propeller to This causes the aircraft to leap into the air and then e a ro the rotorhe 189
• The 18A is FAA approved for commercial use including dual instruction.
• The 18A's type certificate approves it for "day and night VFR" flight.

[edit] Technical specifications

• The 18A airframe is an all-metal monocoque construction.
• The 18A uses a Lycoming O-360 horizontally opposed carbureted engine.
• The 18A has a 12 volt electrical system which can power typical aircraft communication and navigation radios, and lights for night operation.
• Rotors: The rotors used on the 18A were originally made for a large helicopter (need name) and have a chord of 12 inches.
• Propeller:
• Transmission:
• Typical rotor speed:
• The 18A uses a swashplate

[edit] External links

Web site about the Air & Space 18A gyroplane