SME Aero Tiga
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Aero Tiga, MD-3 Swiss Trainer | |
|---|---|
| Type | Trainer |
| Manufacturer | Dätwyler, SME |
| Maiden flight | 12 August 1983 |
The SME Aero Tiga, originally the Dätwyler MD-3 Swiss Trainer is a trainer aircraft developed in Switzerland through the 1960s and 70s, and which first flew in 1983.
In configuration, the Swiss Trainer is a conventional low-wing, cantilever monoplane with fixed spatted tricycle undercarriage. Accommodation for the pilot and instructor was provided as side-by-side seats under an expansive bubble canopy. The four-cylinder horizontally-opposed piston engine drove a fixed two-blade propeller.
While the layout of the aircraft was entirely orthodox, its construction was not, as the Swiss Trainer was designed to be as modular as possible to lower the cost and complexity of production and maintenance. To this end, as many parts were made interchangeable as possible. For example, all nine control surfaces (two ailerons, four flap segments, two elevators, and the rudder) are the same part that can be fitted to any of these locations with minimal modification. Both halves of the horizontal stabiliser and the fin can similarly be interchanged, and most of the left and right wings is common to both.
In 1993, all rights to the design were acquired by SME Aviation of Malaysia, who began to produce it as the Aero Tiga shortly thereafter, having received orders for 20 by the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The first two of these were delivered in 1995, and the order was increased to 60 aircraft the following year. SME also received orders for 20 aircraft for the Indonesian government's flight training center at Curug, as part of a deal by the Malaysian government to acquire IPTN CN-235 transports.
[edit] Specifications (prototype)
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and instructor
- Length: 6.98 m (22 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
- Height: 2.92 m (9 ft 7 in)
- Wing area: 15.0 m² (161 ft²)
- Empty weight: 633 kg (1,395 lb)
- Gross weight: 920 kg (2,028 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320-D2A, 119 kW (160 hp)
Performance
- Cruising speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)
- Range: 1,090 km (677 miles)
- Rate of climb: 7.0 m/s (1,380 ft/min)
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 924.
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1987-88. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 227.
- Sarsfield (5-11 November 1997). "SME achieves Malaysian first". Flight: 22.
- Hardeman (8-14 May 1996). "SME to build four-seat MD3". Flight: 24.
- "US treaty nears conclusion" (13-19 December 1995). Flight: 25.
- "Malaysia to built Dätwyler trainer" (11-17 August 1993). Flight: 29.
- "Swiss approve Datwyler trainer" (17-23 April 1991). Flight: 23.
- "Datwyler approaches certification" (15 June 1985). Flight: 36.
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