PIK-19
The PIK -19 Mihunu was a glider tug was developed by Helsinki University of Technology.
History and construction
The PIK -19 was developed in the early 1970s. She was a two-seat cantilever low-wing aircraft, which was designed in the conventional configuration with fixed tricycle landing gear and enclosed cockpit. The machine was made entirely from composite materials and first flew in 1972. Worldwide, there was only the fourth plane that was manufactured from these materials.
The project was a joint development of the Finnish Government and the Helsinki University of Technology. The " PIK " designation actually belongs to a label series, which was used by the Flying Club of the University, the Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho for he built gliders and powered aircraft. Although the PIK -19, no project of the club was, this name was chosen. Construction began in 1969 under the direction of Jukka Tervamäki, Ilkka Rantasalo and Pekka Tammi. The prototype flew on 26 March 1972. Plans for mass production, however, were never realized. The prototype, the only aircraft of its type ever built, flew over the next 21 years approximately 5217 hours and attracted around 40,000 gliders. In June 1994, the machine was destroyed in an accident, precipitated as the engine at low altitude.