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Aviation History
1951
1951 - 0184.PDF
118 • FLIGHT, 1 February 1951 AIGLET In the A No. 39 of the Series: Flying Auster's Latest Civil Variant : Suitability for Operation Overseas Bv THE EDITOR IN discussing the variety of light aircraft which have beenbuilt by the Auster company we are reminded of OgdenNash's wise child, Pendleton Birdsong, who said that not only was he " the wise child that knew its own father," but also that he was "the child who was father of the man." From that he went on to deduce that he was his own father, and that upon subsequently becoming a father he wouldn't know himself. Just which basic Auster type the Aiglet would acknow- ledge as father must puzzle many a pilot, but the four photographs on page 126 may reveal some features and family likenesses which will help in future deliberations. The Aiglet is, of course, related to several of the earlier Auster variants, and for its particular type of work and intended theatre of operations is in several respects superior to any of the others. Of especial interest in these times of rising costs is its low selling price of £1,150—a figure pos- sible of attainment only as the result of a long civil and military development line and considerable care and ingenuity on the part of the designer and manufacturers. It is intended particularly for the private pilot or club member overseas, where climatic conditions and terrain call for the power of a Gipsy Major translated into short take-off and good climb at high altitudes and temperatures, plus a speed comfortably in excess of 100 m.p.h. In addition to-these performance characteristics, simplicity and reliability are essentials in countries where servicing facilities are few and expensive. The Aiglet airframe inherits many good features from the well-proved Autocrat, and boasts the benefits bestowed by a 130 h.p. Gipsy Major I engine with 1,500-hr overhaul period. Before describing impressions during a brief spell at the controls of the Aiglet, enjoyed recently during a local clear- ance in an otherwise widespread clamp, a few further words of description may be added. First, it should be made clear that the Aiglet is a three-seater into which a small, fourth person may be packed, provided that the rear bench seat is not loaded in excess of 200 lb. If a full four-seater is required, the Autocar would be the Auster type for the job. For once, in the Aiglet, a light aircraft has been built with an excess of power for normal load, near-sea-level operation in temperate climates; but if economy is not of prime im- portance, the lively performance is welcome on all occasions. Normally, at home, the familiar Autocrat with 100 h.p. Cirrus Minor is the sound economical three-seater offered by the company. Also in the civil range, the Gipsy-Major- engined J.5 is recommended for crop dusting and similar duties because of its strengthened airframe and consequent authorization for higher all-up weight. All the well-known extras are approved and can be fitted to the Aiglet which is, however, complete with all essentials at the price quoted above. Standard extras include: radio; Uustrated by '; Flight Photographs The Aiglet has a number of appealing character- istics, including ease and safety of handling at very low speeds. Here the aircraft responds immediately in a practice baulked landing after touching down with full flap lowered.
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