Nesmith Cougar

Development

The design, by Robert Nesmith, is a conventional high-wing, strut-braced monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. The pilot and a single passenger were seated side by side. The fuselage and empennage were of welded steel-tube construction, while the wings were of wood, and the whole aircraft was fabric-covered. Some later aircraft were fitted with a tricycle undercarriage.

The original Cougar design was marketed by Nesmith himself. His intent was to market a low-cost aircraft for homebuilders. He also used the aircraft as a troubled youth project to encourage teens to work together toward a goal. When a modified Cougar won an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) design competition in 1963, that organization took over selling plans. Rights to the design were eventually purchased by Acro Sport.

The aircraft shape was influenced by the Beechcraft Staggerwing and Wittman Tailwind. The name came from the college of Nesmith's daughter, the University of Houston, whose athletic mascot is a cougar.

Variants

Nesmith M1 Cougar

The original design for home building. Powered by 108hp Lycoming.

Nesmith Cougar Comet

Cougar modified with a 125hp Lycoming O-290D.

Nesmith Chigger & Landoll's Skydoll

One example was built with folding wings and Culver Cadet landing gear, called the "Chigger". Another example built with folding wings with automatic control latching. Both aircraft are capable of being towed backwards behind a car.

Specifications (typical)

Data from Sport Aviation

General characteristics

Crew: one pilot

Capacity: one passenger

Length: 18 ft 11 in (5.77 m)

Wingspan: 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)

Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)

Wing area: 83 ft² (7.71 m²)

Aspect ratio: 5.06

Empty weight: 624 lb (283 kg)

Gross weight: 1,250 lb (567 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-235 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed piston engine, 115 hp (86 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 195 mph (314 km/h)

Range: 750 miles (1,200 km)

Service ceiling: 13,000 ft (3,950 m)