HFB-320 Hansa Jet

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HFB 320

The HFB-320 Hansa Jet is an all-metal, twin-engine, 10-seat business jet built by German aircraft manufacturer Hamburger Flugzeugbau between 1964 and 1973.

The most notable feature of the aircraft is its forward-swept wing, which is mid-mounted in the fuselage. This arrangement allows the wing spar to pass through the fuselage behind the passenger cabin without decreasing cabin volume. As of 2006, it remains the only civilian aircraft ever to use a forward-swept wing.

The prototype first flew on April 21, 1964 and was followed by a second prototype on October 19 of the same year. On May 12, 1965, the first prototype was lost in an accident caused by a design issue with the T-tail. Hamburger Flugzeugbau's chief test pilot perished in the crash. As a result of the accident, modifications were made to improve the aircraft's stall performance, including a stick pusher on production models. Assembly of the first ten production aircraft began in May 1965, with the first flying on February 2, 1966 and two others shortly thereafter. Certification was achieved in 1967, and General Air of Hamburg took first customer delivery in March 1968.

The Luftwaffe had ordered 13 HFB-320s in 1963. As part of the evaluation of the type, two production aircraft were delivered to the Est61 wing at Oberpfaffenhoffen in 1966. Production deliveries for use as VIP transports commenced in 1969.

Increased competition from newer executive jet models and a comparatively poor safety record led to dwindling orders, with production ceasing in 1973. The Aviation Safety Network lists a total of nine accidents (six fatal) for the type [1], an astounding 20 percent hull-loss rate, but only the crash of the prototype was directly attributable to the aircraft's design. Pilot error was blamed in a majority of the accidents.

[edit] Specifications

Length: 16.6 m (54 ft 6 in)
Wing Span: 14.5 m (47 ft 6 in)
Height 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Power Plant: 2 × General Electric CJ610 turbojets, 13 kN (2850 lbf) static thrust each
Maximum cruising speed: 900 km/h (510 mph)
Maximum take off weight: 8,500 kg (18,740 lb)