Porterfield Collegiate

The Porterfield Collegiate is an American-built two-seat training and touring monoplane built by the Porterfield Aircraft Corporation of Kansas City.

Design

Developed originally as the Porterfield Zephyr, it is a light-weight version of the earlier Model 35 Flyabout for use a pilot trainer. Powered by a 40hp (30kW) Continental A-40 engine it was later re-designated the Porterfield CP-40.

Development

To improve performance the engine was replaced with a 50hp (47kW) Continental A50-4 engine and re-designated the CP-50 Collegiate. It is a braced high-wing monoplane with a tail skid fixed landing gear. The two bracing struts run in parallel from the bottom of the fuselage and the tailplane was fixed to the top of the rear fuselage. Due to the narrowness of the fuselage, particularly to the rear of the cabin, the type is nicknamed "Skinny Bird".

Production and operations

Total production had reached 476 when production ceased in 1942 at the start of American involvement in the Second World War. Over 100 Porterfields remained active with private pilot owners in the United States and other countries in 2001.^[2] A number of variants were produced with different engine installations, resulting in a series of model designations.

In 2013 two Collegiates were active in the UK, G-AFZL a 1939 CP-50 and G-BVWY a 1941 CP-65. Others airworthy outside the USA include examples in Canada, Mexico and Argentina. An owners club exists to support the ongoing operation of the type, of which around 40 of all varieties are active.

Variants

CP-40 Zephyr

Original 40 hp (30 kW) Continental A-40 powered version

CP-50

Improved production variant with a 50hp (47kW) Continental A50-4 engine

CP-55

Revised engine cowling

CP-65

Powered by a 65hp (48kW) Continental A65-8 or -9 engine.

FP-60

Powered by a 60hp (45kW) Franklin 4AC-171-A1 engine.

FP-65

Powered by a 65hp (48kW) Franklin 4AC-176-B29 engine.

LP-50

Powered by a 50hp (37kW) Lycoming O-145-A1 engine.

LP-55

Powered by a 55hp (41kW) Lycoming O-145-A3 engine.

LP-65

Powered by a 65hp (48kW) Lycoming O-145-B1 or B2 engine.

Specifications (CP-65)

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 2760 and Simpson, 2001, p.442.

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 22 ft 8 in (6.91 m)
• Wingspan: 34 ft 9 in (10.59 m)
• Height: 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
• Wing area: 168.80 ft² (15.68 m²)
• Empty weight: 671 lb (304 kg)
• Gross weight: 1160 lb (526 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental A65-8/9 flat-four piston engine, 65 hp (48 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 108 mph (174 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 98 mph ( km/h)
• Range: 300 miles (483 km)
• Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4570 m)
• Rate of climb: 600 ft/min ( m/s)

Gallery

References

• Simpson, R.W, Airlife's World Aircraft, 2001, Airlife Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84037-115-3
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 2760

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Porterfield Collegiate.

• Description and images of Porterfield models