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The Pitcairn PA-18 was an
In 2008, a PA-18 was restored to flying condition by Jack and Kate Tiffany of
Video: Flying a restored PA-18
{{Pitcairn aircraft 1930s United States sport aircraft PA-18 Single-engined tractor autogyros Aircraft first flown in 1932
autogyro
An autogyro (from Greek and , "self-turning"), also known as a ''gyroplane'', is a type of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. Forward thrust is provided independently, by an engine-driven propeller. Whi ...
produced in the United States in the early 1930s.Taylor 1989, p.735
History
In 1931, Pitcairn had produced a lightweight autogyro suitable for the private pilots as the PAA-1.''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft'', p.2739 Experience with this and with other light, low-powered machines convinced Pitcairn that while the concept was good, they presented significant handling problems to inexperienced pilots. The PA-18 was designed as a machine for the same market, but with a more powerful engine and structural strengthening. The availability of more power contributed greatly to the aircraft's responsiveness at low speeds. According to Frank Kingston Smith Sr. wrote, "Pitcairn's assessment of the market had been correct: within a year and a half more than nineteen PA-18s were produced and sold, vindicating his decision to proceed with the basic machine while experimenting with the direct-control system."
In 2008, a PA-18 was restored to flying condition by Jack and Kate Tiffany of New Carlisle, Ohio
New Carlisle is a city in Clark County, Ohio, Clark County, Ohio, United States. The population was 5,785 at the United States Census 2010, 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Ohio Springfield, Ohio metropolitan area, Metropolitan Statistic ...
.Erardi 2008 At the same time, a second PA-18 was under restoration by the Posey Brothers firm at the Trenton-Robbinsville Airport."Pitcairn PA 18 Autogiro" Most other PA-18s were purchased by the United States government in 1940 and sold on to the United Kingdom. They never arrived, however, since the ship carrying them was sunk by a German submarine.
Specifications (PA-18)
See also
References
;Notes ;Bibliography * * * * *External links
Video: Flying a restored PA-18
{{Pitcairn aircraft 1930s United States sport aircraft PA-18 Single-engined tractor autogyros Aircraft first flown in 1932