This one originated in the U.K. in in 1974. Designed for low-speed observation work and intended as a low-cost alternative to helicopters. It has a "loiter speed: of 70 kts, with an endurance of 8 hours at this speed. Otherwise the performance is on par with a Cessna 152 or Cherokee 140.
The "flying bug " makes this one unique with a fully glazed forward cabin looking just like a helicopter with 3 across seating providing excellent viewing all around. This
panoramic vision provides almost vertical downward vision for the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft has twin booms with twin rudders and a high-mounted tailplane. It is powered by a Lycoming flat-six normally-aspirated engine situated behind the cabin and driving a 5-bladed fixed-pitch ducted fan. This ducted fan, makes it exceptionally quiet at loiter speeds. The aircraft has a fixed tricycle undercarriage with a steerable nosewheel. The wings are unswept and untapered. The aircraft is of fairly standard all-metal construction, with stressed skin of aluminium. Modified Fowler flaps enable very slow "slowflight".
The aircraft's distinctive appearance has led to it being known as the "bug-eye" in some popular reports. An IR/Camera Turret is recessed a bay in the nose making this an ideal traffic and police tracking aircraft.
The avionics and flight instruments are packaged similar to a smaller helicopter with a console dividing the left and right pilot seats. The observer seat is the far right seat without flying controls. This aircraft was converted from FlighGear by krzysk and is being prepared for release soon.
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