Windecker Eagle

The Eagle AC-7 Eagle 1 (USAF designation YE-5)[2] is an aircraft that was manufactured by Windecker Industries. It was the first composite airplane (foam and fiberglass construction) to receive FAA certification in December 1969 at a reported development cost of US$20,000,000. The fiberglass process was named "Fibaloy" by Windecker.[3]

Eagle
Role Light aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Windecker Industries
Designer Leo and Fairfax Windecker[1]
First flight 7 October 1967[2]
Number built Two prototypes and six production aircraft[1]
Variants Windecker YE-5

Design and development

The Eagle's fuselage was molded in two pieces that were joined down the middle.[4] The first prototype had a fixed undercarriage but the second, known as the Eagle 1, had retractable tricycle gear. This aircraft first flew on 26 January 1969.[2] One prototype spun in on testing.[3]

Only eight Eagles were produced before production ended when the company ran out of money.[5]

No Eagle had been flying for many years, but one was restored and flown in December 2015, by Don Atchison, Mike Moore and a team commissioned by Chinese entrepreneur Wei Hang. Wei Hang holds the rights and the type certificate and plans to produce the aircraft in China for Asian sales.[1][5][6][7]

Specifications

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72[8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 3 passengers
  • Length: 28 ft 6 in (8.7 m)
  • Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 5 in (2.87 m)
  • Wing area: 167 sq ft (15.5 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 5.82:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 642415
  • Empty weight: 2,150 lb (975 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,400 lb (1,542 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 86 US gal (72 imp gal; 330 L)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental IO-520C air-cooled flat-six engine, 285 hp (213 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed McCauley constant-speed propeller, 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 211 mph (340 km/h, 183 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 204 mph (328 km/h, 177 kn)
  • Stall speed: 66 mph (106 km/h, 57 kn) (flaps down)
  • Never exceed speed: 260 mph (420 km/h, 230 kn)
  • Range: 1,232 mi (1,983 km, 1,071 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,220 ft/min (6.2 m/s)
  • Takeoff run to 50 ft (15 m): 1,310 ft (399 m)
  • Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 1,330 ft (405 m)

References
  1. "Windecker Eagle Restoration Making Progress". avweb.com. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  2. Taylor 1974 p.481-2
  3. "The Loaners". Flying: 52. May 1976.
  4. Mark Phelps (April 2013). "Composite Airplanes". Sport Aviation: 82.
  5. "Windecker Eagle Flies, Heads To China". AVweb. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  6. Kauh, Elaine (10 April 2015). "Windecker Eagle Restoration Underway". avweb.com. Aviation Publishing Group. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  7. Garvey, William (17 April 2015). "First All-Composite Aircraft Being Readied To Fly Again". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  8. Taylor 1971, pp. 422–423
  • Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1971). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Taylor, John W R (1974). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1974-75. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0 354 00502 2.
  • Burmeier, Beverly. "Plastic Fantastic." The History Channel Magazine, September/October, 2005, pp. 22–23.
  • "The Eagle Returns", Private Pilot Magazine, Sept. 1978.
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