Piper PA-29 Papoose

The Piper PA -29 Papoose was a single-engine low-wing of the U.S. aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft Corporation, which should be used as a training aircraft. The project, however, was set for a built copy. The airframe consisted entirely of glass fiber reinforced plastic and plastic sandwich components.

History

The origins of the development of the PA -29 back to 5 May 1958 as Piper initiated a program that dealt with the development of alternative materials for the aircraft structure. For this purpose, has been engaged in the field of glass fiber reinforced plastic as manager of the " Piper Plastic Division " in Vero Beach with Robert Drake an expert. Here also the prototype was made, which started on April 30, 1962 for its first flight, two more planned machines were no longer being built.

Construction

Characteristic of the construction was the use of large one-piece structural component, there is a bearing surface of a complete upper and lower shell. Also, the hull of two continuous half-shells is constructed. Instead of separate ailerons and flaps you began at the PA -29 over the entire span of so-called flaperons. This can be deflected by 30 ° as flaps and uses of opposite operation as ailerons. Pilot and student pilot / passenger sat side by side under a sliding cover.

Specifications

• Wingspan: 7.62 m
• Length: 6.55 m
• Height: 2.13 m