Valmet PIK-23 Towmaster

PIK-23 Towmaster
Role Glider tower/primary trainer
Manufacturer Valmet
First flight March 22, 1982
Introduction 1982
Produced 1982-83
Number built 2
Developed from PIK-19 Muhinu

Valmet PIK-23 Towmaster or Suhinu is a Finnish twin-seated glider towing/primary trainer aircraft built entirely out of composite materials in the early 1980s.

The Finnish technology students aviation club suggested in the 1970s, that a new aircraft should be developed for glider towing. The work focused on the improvement of a previous design, the PIK-19 Muhinu. Later on, the Helsinki University of Technology and Valmet Oy joined the project and the design process started from scratch. The goal was to develop a target/glider tower, which also could be used for basic training. It was given the name "PIK-23 Towmaster".

Only two aircraft were manufactured, one at Valmet and one at the Helsinki University of Technology. The first aircraft, OH-TOW, made its maiden flight on March 22, 1982, flown by Mikko Järvi. The second aircraft, OH-TUG, flew the following year.

Valmet marketed the aircraft intensively, but no orders followed. It was also investigated if the aircraft could be sold in parts, for self-assembly, in order to lower the price. In its intended role as a glider tower, the PIK-23 has been quite successful.

Specifications (PIK-23)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83 [1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Taylor 1982, p.49.
Bibliography
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