Ahrens AR 404

The Ahrens AR 404 was a prototype American civil transport aircraft first flown in 1976, a high-wing monoplane powered by four turboprop engines. In order to facilitate the loading and unloading of cargo, the fuselage was of constant rectangular section along almost its entire length, the main undercarriage was retracted into sponsons on the fuselage sides, and the tail included a loading ramp. As a regional airliner, the AR 404 was designed to carry 30 passengers, or in its cargo configuration, to accommodate four standard D3 freight containers.

AR 404
Role Civil transport
Manufacturer Ahrens Aircraft Corporation
First flight December 1, 1976[1]
Number built 2

Ahrens secured a production deal with the government of Puerto Rico, which agreed to finance the type certification of the aircraft if Ahrens would establish its production facilities there. The first production aircraft was built and flown there on October 26, 1979,[1] but no more were constructed after financing was withdrawn.

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1980–81[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 30 passengers
  • Length: 52 ft 9 in (16.08 m)
  • Wingspan: 66 ft 0 in (20.12 m)
  • Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
  • Wing area: 422 sq ft (39.2 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 10.1:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 643-618
  • Empty weight: 9,500 lb (4,309 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Allison 250-B17B turboprops, 420 shp (310 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 220 mph (350 km/h, 190 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 200 mph (310 km/h, 170 kn)
  • Stall speed: 86 mph (139 km/h, 75 kn) (flaps down)
  • Range: 980 mi (1,570 km, 850 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Taylor 1980, pp. 259–260.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1980). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1980–81. London: Jane's Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-7106-0705-8.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 42.
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