Pitcairn PA-18 on:
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The Pitcairn PA-18 was an
In 2008, a PA-18 was restored to flying condition by Jack and Kate Tiffany of
Video: Flying a restored PA-18
{{Pitcairn aircraft 1930s United States sport aircraft PA-18 Single-engined tractor autogyros Aircraft first flown in 1932
autogyro
An autogyro (from Greek and , "self-turning"), gyroscope, gyrocopter or gyroplane, is a class of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. A gyroplane "means a rotorcraft whose rotors are not engine-d ...
produced in the United States in the early 1930s.Taylor 1989, p.735
History
In 1931, Pitcairn had produced a lightweight autogyro suitable for the private pilots as the PAA-1.''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft'', p.2739 Experience with this and with other light, low-powered machines convinced Pitcairn that while the concept was good, they presented significant handling problems to inexperienced pilots. The PA-18 was designed as a machine for the same market, but with a more powerful engine and structural strengthening. The availability of more power contributed greatly to the aircraft's responsiveness at low speeds. According toFrank Kingston Smith Sr.
Frank Kingston Smith Sr. (1919-2003) was a criminal attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but is best known as the author of several books and articles on aviation. His first book, ''Week-end Pilot'', helped to bring the joys of flying to the at ...
wrote, "Pitcairn's assessment of the market had been correct: within a year and a half more than nineteen PA-18s were produced and sold, vindicating his decision to proceed with the basic machine while experimenting with the direct-control system."
In 2008, a PA-18 was restored to flying condition by Jack and Kate Tiffany of New Carlisle, Ohio
New Carlisle ( ) is a city in Clark County, Ohio, United States. The population was 5,559 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Springfield, Ohio metropolitan area.
History
New Carlisle was originally called Monroe, and under the latter name w ...
.Erardi 2008 At the same time, a second PA-18 was under restoration by the Posey Brothers firm at the Trenton-Robbinsville Airport."Pitcairn PA 18 Autogiro" Most other PA-18s were purchased by the United States government in 1940 and sold on to the United Kingdom. They never arrived, however, since the ship carrying them was sunk by a German submarine.
Specifications (PA-18)
See also
References
;Notes ;Bibliography * * * * *External links
Video: Flying a restored PA-18
{{Pitcairn aircraft 1930s United States sport aircraft PA-18 Single-engined tractor autogyros Aircraft first flown in 1932