The Cessna XMC was a prototype technology demonstrator designed to show advanced aerodynamics and materials. The marketing name of ''XMC'' stood for "Experimental Magic Carpet", with the single test aircraft designated ''Cessna 1014'' and later ''1034'' in company documentation.

Design and development

The two-seat Cessna XMC was built to test several concepts in light aircraft design including a ducted propeller and swept cantilever wing. The program ran from the beginning of 1971 until the end of 1972. The aircraft was used to assess improved visibility, center of gravity effects, control surface locations and response, cabin noise levels and also the relationship of wing versus engine and propeller. The XMC employed metal-to-metal bonding, allowing for experimentation in expanded use for bonding in other types in the Cessna commercial product line. Additional stress testing was also conducted as necessary as the aircraft entered further testing and modification. The sole prototype was registered as N7174C and given Cessna serial number 674. It was powered by a Continental O-200 engine mounted in pusher configuration. This was the same powerplant used in the then-current production

Cessna 150 The Cessna 150 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane that was designed for flight training, touring and personal use.Plane and Pilot: ''1978 Aircraft Directory'', pages 22-23. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977. In 19 ...

. The tail boom was similar in design to that used on the Cessna Skymaster. The first flight of the 1014 model was made on January 22, 1971 by Cessna test pilot Bruce Barrett. The aircraft was modified in 1972 and given a new model number, 1034. In this configuration it was first flown June 1, 1972, again with Bruce Barrett at the controls.

Operational history

Test program

The test program consisted of three phases: ;Phase I - Model 1014 - January 1971 :Ground handling, flying characteristics and visibility testing ;Phase II - Model 1014 - May 1971 :Exploring methods of reducing weight and production costs for single and twin-engine Cessnas ;Phase III - Model 1034 - June 1972 :Use of shrouded propeller to test improvements in propeller efficiency and reduction of noise

Test results

The XMC project ended in 1972. The aircraft configuration proved to have higher cabin noise levels than the production Cessna 150 and offered no performance advantages over the older design.

Variants

;Model 1014 XMC :The single aircraft in its initial configuration with unducted pusher propeller and fully faired nose wheel. ;Model 1034 XMC :The same aircraft was modified in 1972 with a shrouded propeller to explore two design areas: improvement of the propulsive efficiency and noise reduction. The spatted nose gear was replaced by a wheel fairing, as was the main gear. An increased vertical stabilizer area and revised wing tips were also tested.

Specifications (Cessna XMC prototype)

References

External links

Photo of Cessna 1014 XMC
* {{Cessna 1970s United States experimental aircraft Abandoned civil aircraft projects of the United States Aircraft first flown in 1971 XMC Ducted fan-powered aircraft High-wing aircraft Single-engined pusher aircraft Twin-boom aircraft Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear