| Prescott Pusher | |
|---|---|
| Prescott Pusher | |
| Role | Homebuilt aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Prescott Aeronautical Corporation |
| Designer | Tom Prescott |
| Unit cost | US$20,000 - fixed gear (1986) US$36,500 - retractable gear (1986) |
The Prescott Pusher is a homebuilt aircraft, with a large cockpit, retractable or fixed gear, T-tail and of pusher configuration, that seats four passengers. Passengers enter the aircraft through a large left-side opening clamshell door.[1]
Tom Prescott worked for Sikorsky Aircraft, Piper Aircraft, and Learjet. He left Learjet in 1983 to produce the Prescott Pusher. The pusher was tested using a 1/5 scale model in the Wichita State University wind tunnel in 1983. Flying scale models were tested in 1984, which led to the development of the drooped wing tips for better low speed handling and reduced drag. The aircraft was modeled using CAD/CAM software for creating drawings and defining machine cuts on the fuselage steel, becoming the first CAD/CAM designed homebuilt aircraft. The AVIA Products Co was purchased to develop an electrically controlled variable pitch fiberglass pusher propeller.[2]
The pusher was designed to FAR Part 23 certification standards of the time. It uses aluminum construction for the wings and tail surfaces. The fiberglass landing gear and flaps are hydraulically activated. The nosegear steering is also hydraulic with electric controls. The fuselage uses a 4130 steel welded square steel tube frame with composite skin covering. Every component can be installed prior to skin installation, and in theory, could even be flown without the skins. The wing skins are formed cold using dry ice, then age hardened to T-42 standards. The engine is mounted far aft with a 12 inch propeller extension.[2]
The prototype was constructed at a facility in north Wichita, and moved to Jabara airport for initial flight testing.
The Prescott Pusher was first displayed at the Experimental Aircraft Association airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1985. Prescott Aeronautical Corporation went out of business. As of 1991, there were approximately 25-35 builders completing their aircraft in various configurations.[3]
Data from Sport Aviation
General characteristics
Performance
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