PAC Cresco

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The PAC Cresco is a turbo-prop powered derivative of the FU-24 PAC Fletcher aerial topdressing aircraft, manufactured by the Pacific Aerospace Corporation in Hamilton, New Zealand. It is not directly related to the turbo-prop powered Fletcher which flew in the late 1970s.

The Cresco is a low-wing monoplane which, like the Fletcher but unlike most topdressers, has tricycle undercarriage and places the cabin forward of the hopper, at the leading edge of the wing - which gives the pilot of the Cresco a good field of vision. The high-lift wing has pronounced dihedral on the outer span. The prototype Cresco had an all-moving tail plane, but was lost when it separated in flight, (the pilot parachuting to safety). Subsequent aircraft have had conventional tails.

Sales of the Cresco, (39 as at the beginning of 2006), have not been as impressive as those of the piston powered Fletcher, the type has been sold in several nations and pioneered new utility roles never explored by the Fletcher. Although primarily used to spread superphosphate fertiliser the Cresco is also used in the utility role, especially as a sky diving platform, where its fast rate of climb (1,560 ft/min) has made it popular, and as a fire fighting water bomber, a role it can perform with little alteration from its standard agricultural lay out. One has been converted for magnetic survey. The Cresco is normally flown by a single pilot, but has a second seat in all versions. It can carry nine (rather cramped) sky divers. Usual power plant is a 750hp Pratt and Whitney PT6A.

The PAC 750XL utility aircraft, aimed at the sky diving market, was derived from the Cresco, and retains its high-lift wing.

[edit] Specifications

[edit] General characteristics

• Crew: Pilot + 1 (agricultural). Pilot + 9 (skydiving).
• Wing loading:
• Empty: 2950 lb (1338 kg)
• Loaded: 8250 lb (3742 kg) agricultural or, 6450 lb (2926 kg) standard category
• Powerplant: 750 hp (560 kW) PT6A-34 turboprop

[edit] Performance

• Cruising speed: 140 kt (259 km/h)
• Range: 364 nautical miles (675 km) at 60% power
• Service ceiling: 27,000 ft (8230 m)
• Endurance: 60% power, 3 hours.
• Ground roll: 1065 ft (325 m), to clear 50ft obstacle
• Rate of climb: At sea level 1560 ft/min at MTOW.