Adam A500: Difference between revisions
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In April 2011 [[Triton Aerospace]] of [[Skagit Regional Airport]] in [[Burlington, Washington]] announced that they had acquired the assets of Adam Aircraft, including the aircraft [[type certificate]] and intend to return the A500 to production.<ref name="TritonAbout">{{cite web|url = http://www.tritonaircraft.com/about.php|title = About |accessdate = 19 April 2011|last =Triton Aerospace|authorlink = |year = 2011|month = April}}</ref><ref name="A00009DE"> {{Cite web|url = http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/2a56a33509d4a63c86257715004630a4/$FILE/A00009DE.pdf |title = Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A00009DE |accessdate = 19 April 2011|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|authorlink = |year = 2010|month = April}}</ref> |
In April 2011 [[Triton Aerospace]] of [[Skagit Regional Airport]] in [[Burlington, Washington]] announced that they had acquired the assets of Adam Aircraft, including the aircraft [[type certificate]] and intend to return the A500 to production.<ref name="TritonAbout">{{cite web|url = http://www.tritonaircraft.com/about.php|title = About |accessdate = 19 April 2011|last =Triton Aerospace|authorlink = |year = 2011|month = April}}</ref><ref name="A00009DE"> {{Cite web|url = http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/2a56a33509d4a63c86257715004630a4/$FILE/A00009DE.pdf |title = Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A00009DE |accessdate = 19 April 2011|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|authorlink = |year = 2010|month = April}}</ref> |
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==Design and development== |
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==M-309== |
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The A500 was developed from the '''M-309 CarbonAero''' technology demonstrator designed by [[Burt Rutan]] and built by [[Scaled Composites]] at the [[Mojave Spaceport|Mojave Airport]]. The "309" designation refers to this being Rutan's 309th aircraft design. |
The A500 was developed from the '''M-309 CarbonAero''' technology demonstrator designed by [[Burt Rutan]] and built by [[Scaled Composites]] at the [[Mojave Spaceport|Mojave Airport]]. The "309" designation refers to this being Rutan's 309th aircraft design. |
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The 309 first flew in March 2000, but the aircraft has since been gutted and was used as a static display outside the Adam Aircraft Industries headquarters.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3897/is_200008/ai_n8921359 Adam M-309 article summary]</ref> In 2006 the 309 was loaned to the [[Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum]] and is now on display outside. |
The 309 first flew in March 2000, but the aircraft has since been gutted and was used as a static display outside the Adam Aircraft Industries headquarters.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3897/is_200008/ai_n8921359 Adam M-309 article summary]</ref> In 2006 the 309 was loaned to the [[Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum]] and is now on display outside. |
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==Description== |
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Compared to conventional twin-engine installations, the centerline thrust arrangement reduces drag and maximizes the controllability of the aircraft should one engine malfunction or fail. This engine configuration was used by the similar [[Cessna Skymaster]]. The A500 airframe is largely built of carbon epoxy skins [[composite material]]s with Nomex honeycomb core. Other features include [[cabin pressurization]]. |
Compared to conventional twin-engine installations, the centerline thrust arrangement reduces drag and maximizes the controllability of the aircraft should one engine malfunction or fail. This engine configuration was used by the similar [[Cessna Skymaster]]. The A500 airframe is largely built of carbon epoxy skins [[composite material]]s with Nomex honeycomb core. Other features include [[cabin pressurization]]. |
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The prototype A500 first flew on July 11, 2002 and was [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] [[Type certificate|certified]] in May 2005. |
The prototype A500 first flew on July 11, 2002 and was [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] [[Type certificate|certified]] in May 2005. |
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==A500 payload issues== |
===A500 payload issues=== |
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In evaluation flights conducted in 2007 the A500 was noted as being over the projected empty weight by {{convert|1260|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}} or 30%.<ref name="FlyingDec2007">MacClellan, J. Mac: ''Adam A500'' Flying Magazine, December 2007, pages 54-55. Hachette Filipacchi Media.</ref> |
In evaluation flights conducted in 2007 the A500 was noted as being over the projected empty weight by {{convert|1260|lb|kg|-1|abbr=on}} or 30%.<ref name="FlyingDec2007">MacClellan, J. Mac: ''Adam A500'' Flying Magazine, December 2007, pages 54-55. Hachette Filipacchi Media.</ref> |
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Revision as of 11:36, 22 April 2011
| A500 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Adam A500 during flight test at the Mojave Spaceport | |
| Role | civil utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Adam Aircraft Industries |
| First flight | July 11, 2002 |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | 7 |
| Developed into | Adam A700 |
The Adam A500 is a six-seat civil utility aircraft that was produced by Adam Aircraft Industries. The aircraft is of pod-and-boom, push-pull configuration with its two Continental TSIO-550-E piston engines mounted to provide centerline thrust.
Adam Aircraft ceased operations on 11 February 2008,[1] and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on 19 February 2008,[2] having delivered seven A500s.
In April 2008 Adam Aircraft was purchased from bankruptcy by AAI Acquisition Inc. At the time of purchase this new company indicated that they would pursue certification of the A700 jet as a priority and that the A500 would not be produced due to the continuing poor market for piston-engined aircraft. AAI went out of business in April 2009 without producing any aircraft.[3][4][5]
In July 2009 there was an indication that a new buyer, Triton America and Thomas Hsueh were interested in purchasing the A500 design and returning the aircraft to production.[6]
In April 2011 Triton Aerospace of Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington, Washington announced that they had acquired the assets of Adam Aircraft, including the aircraft type certificate and intend to return the A500 to production.[7][8]
Design and development
The A500 was developed from the M-309 CarbonAero technology demonstrator designed by Burt Rutan and built by Scaled Composites at the Mojave Airport. The "309" designation refers to this being Rutan's 309th aircraft design. The 309 first flew in March 2000, but the aircraft has since been gutted and was used as a static display outside the Adam Aircraft Industries headquarters.[9] In 2006 the 309 was loaned to the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and is now on display outside.
Compared to conventional twin-engine installations, the centerline thrust arrangement reduces drag and maximizes the controllability of the aircraft should one engine malfunction or fail. This engine configuration was used by the similar Cessna Skymaster. The A500 airframe is largely built of carbon epoxy skins composite materials with Nomex honeycomb core. Other features include cabin pressurization.
The prototype A500 first flew on July 11, 2002 and was FAA certified in May 2005.
A500 payload issues
In evaluation flights conducted in 2007 the A500 was noted as being over the projected empty weight by 1,260 lb (570 kg) or 30%.[10]
The initial design empty weight publicized in 2003 was 4,200 lb (1,910 kg), while the actual empty weight of the serial number 7 A500 was 5,460 lb (2,480 kg). Initial gross weight was to be 6,300 lb (2,860 kg), which was increased to 7,000 lb (3,180 kg). This resulted in a change of useful load from a forecast 2,100 to 1,540 lb (950 to 700 kg).[10]
With the 230 US gal (870 L) fuel tanks full, the available payload for crew, passengers and baggage is 160 lb (73 kg), down from a projected 720 lb (327 kg). This means that the A500 cannot carry full fuel and one standard weight adult male or female pilot.[10][11]
Adam Aircraft had intended to address the lack of useful load by demonstrating that the current 30 US gal (110 L) of unusable fuel is actually 10 US gal (40 L). This would have increased the useful load by 120 lb (50 kg) and allowed a full fuel crew weight of 280 lb (127 kg).[10]
In April 2011 Triton Aerospace, the new holder of the type certificate, indicated that they will redesign the aircraft, using what Thomas Hsueh, owner of Triton Aerospace termed "proper engineering", to shed 1,000 lb (454 kg) of empty weight and recertify it with the intention of putting it back into production.[12]
Support and aircraft type club formation
The five A500s in private service have run into problems obtaining parts and at least one was reported as grounded due to parts issues in August 2008.[13]
The aircraft owners organized an aircraft type club, the A500 Owners Association, with the goal of convincing the new owners of the design at that time, AAI Acquisitions to provide parts support for the existing aircraft.[13]
AAI's head of customer support, Jan D'Angelo, responded in August 2008, saying:[13]
There's no economic model that justifies setting up a support team to support just five planes in the field. There's no critical mass to make it economically viable.
Specifications (A500)
Data from Adam Aircraft[14] and The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage[15]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: five passengers
- Length: 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
- Wingspan: 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
- Height: 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m)
- Airfoil: NASA LS(1)-0417
- Empty weight: 5,350 lb (2,427 kg)
- Gross weight: 7,000 lb (3,175 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 230 gal (872 litres)
- Powerplant: 2 × Teledyne Continental TSIO-550E , 350 hp (260 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 225 kn (259 mph, 417 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 220 kn (250 mph, 410 km/h)
- Stall speed: 75 kn (86 mph, 139 km/h) in landing configuration with gear and flaps down
- Range: 892 nmi (1,026 mi, 1,652 km) at 75% power
- Ferry range: 1,286 nmi (1,480 mi, 2,382 km) at 45% power
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m) maximum certified ceiling, 14900 feet on one engine
Notable appearances in media
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ Niles, Russ (2008). "Adam Aircraft Suspends Operations". Retrieved 2008-02-11.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Yamanouchi, Kelly (2008). "Adam Aircraft files Chapter 7". Denver Post. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Niles, Russ (2008). "Court Approves Adam Sale To Russian-Backed Firm". Retrieved 2008-04-12.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ AVweb Editorial Staff (2008). "AVwebFlash Complete Issue: Volume 14, Number 31e". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Thurber, Matt (2009). "Remnants of Adam Aircraft See Final Shutdown". Retrieved 2009-05-01.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Burnside, Joseph E. (Jeb) (2009). "Adam A500: Push Me, Pull Me, Revive Me?". Retrieved 2009-07-29.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Triton Aerospace (2011). "About". Retrieved 19 April 2011.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Federal Aviation Administration (2010). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A00009DE" (PDF). Retrieved 19 April 2011.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Adam M-309 article summary
- ^ a b c d MacClellan, J. Mac: Adam A500 Flying Magazine, December 2007, pages 54-55. Hachette Filipacchi Media.
- ^ Transport Canada (2007). "Aeronautical Information Manual 3.5 Weight and Balance Form". Archived from the original on 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Niles, Russ (2011). ""New" Adam 500 In The Works". AvWeb. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b c Grady, Mary (2008). "Adam A500 Owners Organize To Lobby For Support". Retrieved 2008-08-29.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "A500 Performance and Specifications". Adam Aircraft. Retrieved 2006-09-23.
- ^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved 7 May 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help)