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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 1317.PDF
590 FLIGHT, 7 May 1954 PIPER APACHE New American Light Twin in Full Production THE field of light twin-engined executive aircraft (which in this country has seen nothing new since the Miles Gemini and Aries) was last year entered by the Piper Aircraft Corporation of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Fol lowing the company's well-known single-engined high- wing series of Cubs, Super Cubs, Pacer and Tri-Pacer, the new machine (illustrated on this page) is the Apache, now in full-scale production. Powered by two Lycoming 0-320 engines, each of 150 h.p., the Apache is intended for use by business companies for executive transport (a total of 10,000 aircraft are at present operated on such work by over 8,000 firms in the U.S.A.), and by private owners and taxi operators. Comprehensive instruments and radio equipment have been included to remove the limitation of "daylight, V.F.R. only" flying, and the selling price of the new machine is $32,500, or approxi mately £11,600. Maximum all-up weight of the Apache is 3,500 lb which, with full tanks, four passengers, full instrumentation and radio, enables 198 lb of baggage or extra equipment to be carried. Maximum sea-level cruising speed is 160 m.p.h. Single-engined ceiling at top weight is 5,000ft, and at 3,100 lb is 8,000ft. A particular advantage is the machine's ability to operate into and out of small fields. The aircraft is of all-metal construction, and has an empty weight (completely equipped) of 2,170 lb. The "Custom" model is fitted with the three radio installations shown in the cockpit photograph; an autopilot can, in addition, be fitted. The baggage compartment behind the cabin has a volume of 25 cu ft, and the rear passenger seats can be easily removed to increase the available cargo space to 80 cu ft. The dual controls are conventional, with toe brakes on the left rudder pedals, and with connections to the steerable nosewheel. Rudder and elevator trim controls are located centrally in the cabin roof. The "Electrol" tricycle landing gear is hydraulically retractable and is fitted with Goodrich wheels, tyres and brakes. Two 36-gallon rubber fuel tanks are installed in the wing, outboard of the engines. The span of the Apache is 37ft; length 27ft lin; and wing area 204 sq ft. (Top) Apache approach—showing one of the Hartzell constant-speed airscrews in the feathered position. (Centre) The new Piper over Florida. (Relow) Pilot's panel and controls; radio equipment comprises Lear radio compass and Narco "Omnigator" (port) and Narco "Sim- plexer" (starboard). The "Omnigator" is an eight-channel V.H.F. unit providing V.O.R., V.A.R., marker beacon and U.S. localizer facilities, in addition to V.H.F. communications; the "Simplexer" is the main 12-channel V.H.F. communications set. (Bottom right) A ground view of the Apache, showing the "Electrol" tricycle undercarriage.
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