Pilatus PC-11
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The Pilatus PC-11 (also known as the Pilatus B-4) is an all-metal intermediate sailplane built by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.
The PC-11 is designed to Standard Class specifications, which means that it has a 15 metre wingspan and no flaps. Airbrakes are provided on the top surface of each wing for glidepath control. Construction is aluminium, with foam ribs in the mainplane, fin and tailplane.
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Development
The design of this glider originated in the 1960s, when the company Firma Rheintalwerke G. Basten (from which the "B" in the original designation is derived) manufactured the first two prototypes. The first flight of the first prototype took place on 7 November 1966. However, no series production was started.
In 1972 Pilatus bought the manufacturing licence for the B-4 and renamed it the PC-11. In the spring of the same year the first production example (numbered HB-1100) undertook its first flight.
A total of 322 PC-11s of all versions were built by Pilatus until the license to manufacture the craft was sold to Nippi Aircraft of Japan, who only built 11 examples, including a two-seater.
Subsequently, in 1994, EWMS Technomanagement GmbH bought the rights to produce and service the PC-11. This company also specializes in renovating and upgrading older PC-11 craft. In addition, it manufactures a motorized PC-11.
Variants
While the original B-4/PC-11 was permitted do a number of aerobatic maneuvers, it was not permitted to do inverted loops or flick/snap/quick maneuvers. Consequently, the PC-11 A was developed, which was permitted to perform inverted loops and was also able to handle higher G-forces. In 1975 the PC-11 AF version was released, which had full aerobatic capabilities. The PC-11 was available with either fixed or retractable landing gear.
The changes in construction from PC-11 through A and AF variants were to add extra ribs through the fusilage section (increasing tosional rigidity), and to modify the control column stops giving greater control surface deflection.
Specifications (Pilatus b-4)
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Length: 6.57 m (21 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 6 in)
- Height: 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 14 m² (151 ft²)
- Aspect ratio: 16:1
- Empty: 230 kg (508 lb)
- Loaded: ca. 320 kg (705 lb)
- Maximum takeoff: 350 kg (773 lb)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 130 knots (240 km/h, 150 mph)
- Maximum glide ratio: 1:35
- Rate of sink: 0.63 m/s (126 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 23–25 kg/m² (4.7–5.1 lb/ft²)
Comments on flying
With its light touch and good glide ratio, the Pilatus can be a very enjoyable aircraft to fly, partcularly for those moving up from lower performance single or two place gliders. All things being equal, it will outperform the typical trainer. Be aware, though, that the elevator is rather sensitive and care must be taken not to pull the nose high on either take-off and landing. Stalls may also be sharper than a new pilot is used to. Also, the large airbrakes are quite effective and can very quickly slow the aircraft down. Finally, without a steerable rear wheel or nose skid the rudder needs to be used to steer after landing, and the pilot must stay particularly alert until at a full stop. The foregoing should not be taken as formal instruction. As with any aircraft, a perspective pilot should study the flight manual and receive competent tutoring before his or her first flight.
Related content
Related development:
Comparable aircraft: Start & Flug Salto
Designation sequence: P-2 - P-3 - PC-6 - PC-7 - PC-9 - PC-11 - PC-12 - PC-21
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