Wassmer WA 51

Design and development

In 1966 Wassmer first flew the WA-50 a prototype glass-fibre single-engined four-seat cabin monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear. The design entered production as the WA-51 Pacific with a fixed tricycle landing gear. The low-wing cantilever monoplane was powered by a nose-mounted 150 hp (112 kW) Lycoming O-320-E2A piston engine. A variant, powered by a 160 hp (119 kW) Lycoming IO-320-B1A was called the WA-52 Europa. Further refinements produced the 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360-A1LD powered WA-54 Atlantic.

Variants

WA-50

Prototype with retractable landing gear, one built. Fuselage is color molded with integral leading edge fuel tanks.

WA-51 Pacific

Production version first flown in 1969 with a 150hp (112kW) Lycoming O-320-E2A engine, 39 built.

WA-52 Europa

As WA-51 with a 160hp (119kW) Lycoming IO-320-B1A engine, 59 built.

WA-53

Proposed variant with a 125hp Lycoming engine, not built.

WA-54 Atlantic

WA-51 with refinements and a 180hp (134kW) Lycoming O-360-A1LD engine, 55 built.

Specifications (WA-54 Atlantic)

Data from Mondey

General characteristics

Crew: 1 (pilot)

Capacity: 3 (passengers)

Length: 7.50 m (24 ft 7.25 in)

Wingspan: 9.40 m (30 ft 10 in)

Height: 2.26 m (7 ft 5 in)

Wing area: 12.40 m² (133.47 ft²)

Aspect ratio: 7.125

Empty weight: 620 kg (1367 lb)

Gross weight: 1130 kg (2491 lb)

Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360-A1LD, 134 kW (180 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 280 km/h (174 mph)

Cruising speed: 260 km/h (162 mph)

Range: 1340 km (839 miles)

Service ceiling: 4500 m (14,760 ft)