Aviat Husky

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Aviat Husky
Type Light utility aircraft
Manufacturer Aviat
Designed by Christen Industries
Maiden flight 1986
Introduced 1987
Status Active service
Number built 450
Aviat A-1B Husky
Aviat A-1B Husky

The Aviat Husky is a two seat, high wing, utility light aircraft built by Aviat Aircraft of Afton, Wyoming.[1]

It is the only all-new light aircraft that was designed and entered series production in the United States in the mid to late 1980s.[1]

Contents

[edit] Development

Design work by Christen Industries, began in 1985. The aircraft is one of the few in its class designed with the benefit of Computer Aided Design. The prototype first flew in 1986, and certification was awarded the following year.[1]

[edit] Design Features

The plane features a braced high wing, tandem seating and dual controls. The structure is steel tube frames and Dacron covering over all but the rear of the fuselage, plus metal leading edges on the wings. The high wing was selected for good all-around visibility, making the Husky ideal for observation and patrol roles. Power is supplied by a relatively powerful (for the Husky's weight) 134 kW (180 hp) Textron Lycoming O-360 flat four piston engine turning a constant speed propeller. The Husky's high power loading and low wing loading result in good short-field performance.[1]

Options include floats, skis and banner and glider tow hooks.[1]

[edit] Production and Roles

Husky has been one of the best-selling light aircraft designs of the last twenty years, with more than 450 sold since production began. Many of the aircraft are used for observation duties, fisheries patrol, pipeline inspection, border patrol, glider towing and other utility missions. Notable users include the US Departments of the Interior and Agriculture and the Kenya Wildlife Service, which flies seven on aerial patrols of elephant herds as part of the fight against illegal ivory poaching.[1]

[edit] Variants

The Husky comes in five versions:[2]

The Pup has a smaller engine, a Lycoming O-320, rated at 160 hp (119 kW), a fixed pitch propeller, and its wing has no flaps. The Pup has the highest useful load, since it has the same gross weight but a lower empty weight.[2]

[edit] Specifications (A1 Husky)

Aviat A-1B Husky
Aviat A-1B Husky

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 2
  • Length: 22 ft 7 in (6.88 m)
  • Wingspan: 35 ft 3 in (10.73 m)
  • Height: ft in (m)
  • Wing area: 180 ft² (17 m²)
  • Empty weight: 1,190 lb (540 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,800 lb (820 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Lycoming O-360 horizontally opposed four-cylinder piston engine, 180 hp (134 kW)

Performance

[edit] See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Demand Media (2008). The Aviat A-1 Husky. Retrieved on 2008-04-05.
  2. ^ a b Aviat Aircraft (2007). Aviat Husky Specs. Retrieved on 2008-03-28.

[edit] External links

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