Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Fike Model D

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Top speed
  
172 km/h

Length
  
5.69 m

Wingspan
  
8.86 m

First flight
  
1951

The Fike Model D was a light aircraft built in the United States in the early 1950s. Designed by airline pilot William Fike, it was a conventional high-wing strut-braced monoplane with tailskid undercarriage and seating for one or two people in an enclosed cabin. In appearance, the aircraft strongly resembled a Piper Cub, with only the tail surfaces sourced from one. An unusual feature was that the flight controls were mounted to the ceiling of the cabin, rather than the floor. This facilitated the folding or removal of the seat or seats to enable the aircraft's use as a sleeping space when camping with it. Plans were marketed for homebuilding.

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
  • Wingspan: 29 ft 1 in (8.86 m)
  • Height: 5 ft 5 in ( m)
  • Wing area: 132 ft2 (12.26 m2)
  • Empty weight: 611 lb (277 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,040 lb (472 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental A65 four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled piston engine, 65 hp (48 kW) each
  • Performance

  • Maximum speed: 107 mph (172 km/h)
  • Range: 270 miles (435 km)
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 + ft (3,050 + m)
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
  • References

    Fike Model D Wikipedia