Fike Model D

Model D
Role Recreational aircraft
Manufacturer Homebuilt
Designer William Fike
First flight 1951

The Fike Model D was a light aircraft built in the United States in the early 1950s. Designed by airline pilot William Fike,[1] it was a conventional high-wing strut-braced monoplane with tailskid undercarriage and seating for one or two people in an enclosed cabin. In appearance, the aircraft strongly resembled a Piper Cub, with only the tail surfaces sourced from one.[2] An unusual feature was that the flight controls were mounted to the ceiling of the cabin, rather than the floor.[3] This facilitated the folding or removal of the seat or seats to enable the aircraft's use as a sleeping space when camping with it. Plans were marketed for homebuilding.

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
  • Wingspan: 29 ft 1 in (8.86 m)
  • Height: 5 ft 5 in ( m)
  • Wing area: 132 ft2 (12.26 m2)
  • Empty weight: 611 lb (277 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,040 lb (472 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental A65 four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled piston engine, 65 hp (48 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 107 mph (172 km/h)
  • Range: 270 miles (435 km)
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 + ft (3,050 + m)
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)

References

  1. ↑ Air Trails: 76. Winter 1971. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ "Homebuilding in Alaska". Sport Aviation: 36. June 1967.
  3. ↑ PRACTICAL LIGHTPLANE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE AMATEUR (3rd edition, 1978).
  4. ↑ Taylor 1961, p. 252.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1961). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 392.
  • aerofiles.com


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