Atlas ACE
The Atlas ACE is a South African turboprop trainer, that was designed by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation as a contender to replace the North American Harvard in service with the South African Air Force. The aircraft was not selected and only two examples were completed.
| ACE | |
|---|---|
| Role | Trainer |
| National origin | South Africa |
| Manufacturer | Atlas Aircraft Corporation |
| First flight | 29 April 1991 |
| Number built | 2 |
Design and development
The design originated as the 1986 Project Ovid by the government research agency Aerotek, as a composites technology demonstrator.[1] In 1991 the design was entered into a competition to replace the North American Harvard by the Atlas Aircraft Corporation as the ACE (All Composite Evaluator).
The ACE is a tandem two-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop. It has a retractable nosewheel landing gear and a conventional tail unit. The aircraft is constructed from carbon fiber composites.[1]
The prototype was first flown on 29 April 1991, but did not win the competition which was awarded to the Pilatus PC-7.[1]
On 14 January 1995 the prototype was lost in a wheels up landing at Jan Smuts Airport.[1] The second improved aircraft was scheduled to fly, but the design was not developed.
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 35 ft 5 in (10.8 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 5 in (10.8 m)
- Wing area: 193.75 sq ft (18 m2)
- Empty weight: 3,406 lb (1,545 kg)
- Gross weight: 4,850 lb (2,200 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C , 750 hp (559 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 345 mph (555 km/h, 300 kn)
- Range: 1,266 mi (2,037 km, 1,100 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 33,000 ft (10,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,750 ft/min (838 m/s)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
Notes
- Taylor 1996, p 109
Bibliography
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory. London, England: Brassey's. ISBN 1-85753-198-1.