Alexander Flyabout D
| Flyabout D |
| Role |
Light Monoplane |
| National origin |
United States |
| Manufacturer |
Alexander Aircraft Company, Aircraft Mechanics, Inc |
| Designer |
Proctor Nichols |
| Introduction |
1931 Detroit Air Show[1] |
| Unit cost |
$1,465 in 1931 |
The Alexander Airplane Company D-1 Flyabout was an early entry into the light aircraft market by the popular biplane aircraft manafacturer.[2] The aircraft was later manafactured by Aircraft Mechanics, Inc
Design
The D-1 was a conventional landing geared high winged monoplane with side-by-side seating powered by a 35 hp (26 kW) Continental engine, with a firewall-mounted fuel tank. The cabin featured doors on both sides of the aircraft.[3] It was the first aircraft certified under new CAA rules for aircraft under 1,000 lb (454 kg).[4]
Operational history
The prototype's capabilities were demonstrated by flying up to 15,000 ft (4,572 m) above Pikes Peak with the 38 hp (28 kW) model.[5] Test pilot Proctor Nichols later reported having flown through a tornado formation in the demonstrator returning from the Cleveland National Air Races.[6]
Variants
- D-1
- First outfitted with a 35 hp (26 kW) Continental engine.
- D-2
- Improved model with Szekely engine. [7]
Specifications (Flyabout D-1)
Data from Popular Avaition
General characteristics
- Capacity: 2
- Length: 21 ft 4 in (6.50 m)
- Wingspan: 37 ft 2 in (11.33 m)
- Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
- Empty weight: 536.5 lb (243 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 8 U.S. gallons (30 L; 6.7 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental Horizontially opposed piston, 35 hp (26 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 74 kn; 137 km/h (85 mph)
- Cruise speed: 65 kn; 121 km/h (75 mph)
- Stall speed: 30 kn; 55 km/h (34 mph)
- Rate of climb: 650 ft/min (3.3 m/s)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
- ^ Popular Aviation. June 1931.
- ^ David Mondey. The complete illustrated encyclopedia of the world's aircraft.
- ^ Popular Aviation: 11. July 1931.
- ^ =Aerospace Industries Association of America, Manufacturers Aircraft Association, Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America (1932). Aircraft year book, Volume 14. American Aviation Publications.
- ^ Popular Aviation: 35. November 1931.
- ^ Popular Aviation: 96. December 1931.
- ^ Popular Aviation: 134. December 1931.
External links
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