Cessna CH-1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| CH-1 Skyhook | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
| Designed by | Charles Seibel |
| Maiden flight | July 1953[1] |
| Status | Out of production |
| Unit cost | $79,960 (1961) |
The CH-1 Skyhook is the only helicopter ever built by the Cessna Aircraft Company. The single, twin-bladed main rotor helicopter used a front-mounted recicprocating engine which gave the aircraft a stable center-of-gravity (CG). It's semi-monocoque airframe greatly resembles its light airplane siblings built by Cessna. The CH-1 would set two world records, but ultimately would never be a commercial or military success.
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[edit] Development
Cessna Aircraft Company acquired the Seibel Helicopter Company of Wichita, Kansas on 14 January 1952 through a stock swap with Seibel investors. All equipment from the Seibel Helicopter Company, including the Seibel S-4B, was moved to Cessna's Pawnee Plant in Wichita and work began on the CH-1 design during the summer of 1952. Cessna pilots test flew Seibel's S-4B for several months to familiarize the engineers with helicopters, and then it was scrapped.
Seibel, who became the new Helicopter Division's chief designer as part of the acquisition, believed that the S-4B with a Cessna body would make an excellent helicopter.
The CH-1 was unique in several aspects, including a forward mounted engine that was similar to a small fixed wing plane. The helicopter was named Skyhook for the civil market. This name was similar to the marketing names used in the Cessna single engine airplane line, such as Skyhawk, Skylane and Skywagon. The CH-1's military designation was YH-41 Seneca for the United States Army.
[edit] Operational history
The CH-1 established many firsts. It was the first helicopter to land on Pikes Peak, it had a higher cruise speed than comparable machines, and it set a world altitude record of 30,355 feet on December 27, 1957. It was also the first helicopter to receive IFR certification by the FAA.
Approximately 50 machines were built before Cessna ended their venture into helicopters. Most of the aircraft built were bought back and scrapped by Cessna, and the type certificate was revoked, presumably to remove any liability to Cessna for continued operation of any copies they could not retrieve.
[edit] Variants
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- CH-1
- The prototype CH-1 was powered by a Continental FSO-470 engine.
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- CH-1B
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- YH-41A
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- CH-1C
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- CH-4
- Cessna's entry for the U.S. Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, powered by an Allison 250 engine.
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- CH-1D
[edit] Specifications (CH-1C)
Data from {CollectAir}[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1-2
- Capacity: 4
- Length: 42 ft 6 in (13 m)
- Rotor diameter: 35 ft (10.7 m)
- Height: 8 ft 5 in (2.6 m)
- Disc area: 962 ft² (89.4 m²)
- Empty weight: 2080 lb (945 kg)
- Loaded weight: 2440 lb (1109 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 3100 lb (1409 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Continental FSO-526 supercharged reciprocating engine, 260 hp (194 kW)
