Robertson Skylark SRX-1

The Robertson Skylark SRX-1 is a five place high performance STOL aircraft designed in the 1950s. It was intended to be operated out of 120 ft (37 m) landing strips with 150 mph (241 km/h) cruise speeds.[1]

Robertson Skylark SRX-1
Role STOL aircraft
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Robertson Development Corp
Designer James L. Robertson
First flight 1955

Design

The aircraft was designed by James L. Robertson, son of William B. Robertson, Robertson Aircraft Corporation founder at the age of 27. The aircraft is designed to be stall-proof and spin-proof and is capable of a 25 mph (40 km/h) minimum flight speed. It was also the first light aircraft in America to be designed to accommodate a turboprop engine.[2]

The Skylark is all metal, with a steel tube internal structure. It incorporates shrouds, flaps, spoilerons, turbulator control, stabilators, elevators, and spinner duct cooling.[3]

Operational history

Test flights were performed by aerobatic pilot Marion Cole. He featured the aircraft as part of his Cole Brothers airshows. The aircraft is able to take off in 100 feet.

Specifications (Robertson Skylark SRX-1)

Data from Experimenter

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 4 passengers
  • Length: 30 ft 6 in (9.30 m)
  • Wingspan: 40 ft (12 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m)
  • Empty weight: 2,250 lb (1,021 kg)
  • Gross weight: 3,500 lb (1,588 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental GE260-2X , 260 hp (190 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Hartzell HC-12x20-8C

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 143 kn (165 mph, 266 km/h)

References
  1. Flying Magazine: 37. July 1954. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. "Project Skylark". Experimenter. April 1955.
  3. Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Aviation Safety Center. Survey of research projects in the field of aviation safety, Issue 6 Cornell University.
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