Western Hirondelle (specifically the Western PGK-1 Hirondelle) is a Canadian two-seat aircraft for cross country and recreational flying, designed by Western Aircraft Supplies to be homebuilt from plans. The name is French for the Swallow, and the model designation includes the initials of the designers Jean Peters, Glenn Gibb, and John Kopala.
The prototype first flew in 1976. The Hirondelle is built primarily of wood and cloth. It is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a fixed tail-wheel landing gear and seats two side-by-side. It was designed for the Lycoming O-235 but accommodates engines from 100 to 160 hp (75 to 119 kW).
The primary wing structure is a wood box spar connected to an aileron spar by ribs cut on a band saw. To the front of the main spar are strapped D-shaped fiberglass fuel tanks which can carry up to 12 imperial gallons per wing. Over the tanks is the framing and plywood skin of the wing's nose. Behind the main spar, the wings are covered in cloth. The wing section is the NACA 23012 with a 55 in (140 cm) chord; the wing is rectangular, being straight and untapered. No flaps were fitted to the prototype, but they were being considered.[1]
The fuselage is built up from spruce and covered in 3 mm (0.12 in) plywood. Cabin width on the prototype was 38 in (97 cm). The main gear uses Wittman tapered rods and was designed to take standard Cessna wheel pants. As with the Wittman Tailwind, the mains connect to the engine mount. The wing tanks feed a 5.75 imperial gallons (26.1 L; 6.91 US gal) header tank through automotive electric fuel pumps. The header tank feeds the engine by gravity.[1]
The prototype weight includes an upholstered interior, a full electrical system and venturi driven gyros. With its 108 hp (81 kW) engine it can cruise at 135 mph (217 km/h) at 2500 rpm.[1]
Western Aircraft Supplies PGK-1 Hirondelle specifications, image and video
Movie from a group of French PGK-1 builders
January 01, 1970
western, hirondelle, specifically, western, hirondelle, canadian, seat, aircraft, cross, country, recreational, flying, designed, western, aircraft, supplies, homebuilt, from, plans, name, french, swallow, model, designation, includes, initials, designers, jea. Western Hirondelle specifically the Western PGK 1 Hirondelle is a Canadian two seat aircraft for cross country and recreational flying designed by Western Aircraft Supplies to be homebuilt from plans The name is French for the Swallow and the model designation includes the initials of the designers Jean Peters Glenn Gibb and John Kopala Hirondelle Role Homebuilt monoplane National origin Canada Manufacturer Western Aircraft Supplies First flight 1976Description editThe prototype first flew in 1976 The Hirondelle is built primarily of wood and cloth It is a low wing cantilever monoplane with a fixed tail wheel landing gear and seats two side by side It was designed for the Lycoming O 235 but accommodates engines from 100 to 160 hp 75 to 119 kW The primary wing structure is a wood box spar connected to an aileron spar by ribs cut on a band saw To the front of the main spar are strapped D shaped fiberglass fuel tanks which can carry up to 12 imperial gallons per wing Over the tanks is the framing and plywood skin of the wing s nose Behind the main spar the wings are covered in cloth The wing section is the NACA 23012 with a 55 in 140 cm chord the wing is rectangular being straight and untapered No flaps were fitted to the prototype but they were being considered 1 The fuselage is built up from spruce and covered in 3 mm 0 12 in plywood Cabin width on the prototype was 38 in 97 cm The main gear uses Wittman tapered rods and was designed to take standard Cessna wheel pants As with the Wittman Tailwind the mains connect to the engine mount The wing tanks feed a 5 75 imperial gallons 26 1 L 6 91 US gal header tank through automotive electric fuel pumps The header tank feeds the engine by gravity 1 The prototype weight includes an upholstered interior a full electrical system and venturi driven gyros With its 108 hp 81 kW engine it can cruise at 135 mph 217 km h at 2500 rpm 1 Specifications editGeneral characteristics Crew 2 Length 20 ft 6 in 6 25 m Wingspan 26 ft 0 in 7 93 m Height 7 ft 6 in 2 29 m Wing area 120 sq ft 11 m2 Empty weight 933 lb 423 kg Gross weight 1 475 lb 669 kg Powerplant 1 Lycoming O 235 108 hp 81 kW Performance Cruise speed 145 mph 232 km h 126 kn Rate of climb 800 ft min 4 1 m s Wing loading 12 3 lb sq ft 60 kg m2 See also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Jodel DR1050 Excellence SAN Jodel D 150 Mascaret Piel Emeraude Turner T 40A McLeod Cavalier SA102 seriesReferences editTaylor Michael J H 1989 Jane s Encyclopedia of Aviation London Studio Editions Cox Jack The PGK 1 Hirondelle Sport Aviation 1978 01 pp 23 25 Notes edit a b c CoxExternal links editWestern Aircraft Supplies PGK 1 Hirondelle specifications image and video Movie from a group of French PGK 1 builders Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Western Hirondelle amp oldid 1065477325, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
