PZL Mielec M 18 Dromader

Development

PZL-Mielec, then known as WSK-Mielec, began to design the Dromader in the mid 1970s, with help of United States aircraft manufacturer Rockwell International. PZL-Mielec asked for Rockwell's help because of the political situation at the time: operating in an Eastern Bloc country, PZL wanted the aircraft to sell well worldwide, and the company realized that FAA certification would be important in reaching that goal. Rockwell on the other hand wanted to fit Polish high-power radial engines into its agricultural planes. As a result of this cooperation the Rockwell Thrush Commander aircraft was fitted with the PZL-3 engine, and the Polish designers created the higher payload M-18 Dromader by introducing the more powerful ASz-62 engine, making structural changes to the airframe, and increasing dimensions. This co-operation meant that the Dromader shares outer wing panels and part of a fuselage with the Thrush Commander.

The first prototype of the aircraft flew on August 27, 1976. In September 1978, the aircraft was given certification to fly in Poland. Certifications from many countries around the world followed soon.

Many aircraft of the M-18 type and its variations can still be seen around the world. They were sold to 24 countries, over 200 are used in the USA.

Most Dromaders are easy to distinguish because of their yellow color. Some 759 had been built. Currently (2012) models M-18B and M-18BS are offered by PZL-Mielec.

Variants

M-18

original one-seat production version, now available for special orders only.

M-18A

two seater available from 1984 onwards. Allows a mechanic or chemical loader to be carried as a passenger to remote fields.

M-18AS

two-cockpit trainer version

M-18B

refined version of M-18A with increased capacity, flown in 1993.

M-18BS

two-cockpit trainer.

M-18C

version with more powerful 895 kW (1,200 hp) Kalisz K-9 engine. Flown in 1995 but not produced.

M-18/T45 Turbine Dromader

turboprop powered with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 engine. First flew in 1985 and was given FAA certification in April 1986.

M-21 Dromader Mini

smaller variant (1100 kg of chemicals), flown in 1982, not produced.

M-24 Dromader Super

bigger variant (2000 kg of chemicals), flown in 1987, not produced.

M-25 Dromader Mikro

smaller variant (500 kg of chemicals), sketch only.

AII AVA-303

The M-18 is being built in Iran as the AVA-303.

Military

 Croatia

Croatian Air Force - Former operator.

 Greece

Hellenic Air Force

 Montenegro

Montenegrin Air Force

 Serbia -Former operator

Iran airforce

Civil

The Dromader is in service with aerial agriculture and other companies in many countries, operating in a variety of roles. The former Yugoslav Airline, Jugoslovenski Aerotransport, used it for cropspraying.

Specifications (M-18B Dromader)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot

Capacity: one passenger, and up to 2,500 L (660 US gallons) or 2,200 kg (4,850 lb) of chemicals

Length: 9.47 m (31 ft 1 in)

Wingspan: 17.70 m (58 ft 0¾ in)

Height: 3.70 m (12 ft 1¾ in)

Wing area: 40.00 m² (430.5 ft²)

Airfoil: NACA 4416 at root, 4412 on outer wings

Empty weight: 2,710 kg (5,975 lb)

Max. takeoff weight: 5,300 kg (11,700 lb)

Powerplant: 1 × WSK "PZL-Kalisz" ASz-62IR piston radial, 731 kW (980 hp)

Performance

Never exceed speed: 280 km/h (151 knots, 174 mph)

Maximum speed: 230 km/h (124 knots, 143 mph)

Stall speed: 108 km/h (59 knots, 68mph) (flaps down)

Range: 970 km (523 nmi, 602 miles)

Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,320 ft)

Rate of climb: 6.5 m/s (1,280 ft/min)