The Pazmany PL-4A is a single-seat, single-engine sport aircraft developed in the United States[1] and first flown in 1972.[2] It is marketed for homebuilding from plans, and 686 sets had sold by 1985.[2] The PL-4A is a conventional, low-wing cantilever monoplane with an enclosed cabin and fixed, tailwheel undercarriage.[2][3] The design features a T-tail, chosen to facilitate folding the wings.[3][4] Construction throughout is of metal, using standard extruded sections for the longerons[2] and pop rivets as the basic fastener. The standard powerplant is a Volkswagen air-cooled engine of 60 hp (45 kW)[5][6] Construction time is estimated to be around 1,000–1,500 hours.[7][8]
| PL-4A | |
|---|---|
| Role | Amateur-built aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Pazmany Aircraft Corporation/Homebuilt |
| Designer | Ladislao Pazmany |
| First flight | 12 July 1972 |
| Number built | more than 50 |
The PL-4A won the "Outstanding New Design" and "Outstanding Contribution to Low-Cost Flying" awards at the 1972 EAA Fly-In.[9][10] By 2000 more than 50 had been built and flown.[11]
Variants
edit- Pazmany PL-4A
- Standard single seater, normally powered by a 60 hp (45 kW) Volkswagen air-cooled engine with V-belt drive reduction.[12]
- Denight 100 D2 Special
- Modified PL4A design to seat two side by side. Main differences are an increase in length by 17 in (450 mm) and in fuselage width by 12 in (305 mm), a more powerful 115 hp (86 kW) Avco Lycoming O-235 flat-four engine and a conventional tail. Maximum take-off weight is 1,250 lb (567 kg).[13]
Specifications
editData from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1985–86, p.608
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Length: 16 ft 7 in (5.04 m)
- Wingspan: 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m)
- Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
- Wing area: 89 sq ft (8.3 m2)
- Empty weight: 578 lb (262 kg)
- Gross weight: 850 lb (385 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Converted Volkswagen air-cooled engine , 50 hp (38 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 125 mph (201 km/h, 109 kn)
- Range: 340 mi (545 km, 300 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 13,000 ft (3,960 m)
- Rate of climb: 650 ft/min (3.3 m/s)
References
editNotes
edit- ^ Taylor 1989, p.717
- ^ a b c d Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1985–86, p.608
- ^ a b Markowski 1979, p.241
- ^ "Pazmany's PL-4 Features 'T'-tail and VW engine" 1972, p.40
- ^ Markowski 1979, p.245
- ^ "Pazmany's PL-4 Features 'T'-tail and VW engine" 1972, p.43
- ^ Pazmany 1973, p.39
- ^ Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 114. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ Markowski 1979, p.246
- ^ Dwiggins 1973, p.78
- ^ Simpson 2001, p.418
- ^ Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 121. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984/5 p.571
Bibliography
edit- Dwiggins, Don (April 1973). "Pazmany VW-Engine Homebuilt". Plane & Pilot: 76–79.
- Taylor, John W. R. (1984). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1984-1985. London: Jane's Publishing Co. ISBN 0710608012.
- Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1985–86. London: Jane's Publications.
- Markowski, Mark (1979). The Encyclopedia of Homebuilt Aircraft. Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania: TAB Books. ISBN 0-8306-2256-X.
- Pazmany, Ladislao (March 1973). "The Pazmany PL-4A is flying". Sport Aviation: 32–39.
- "Pazmany's PL-4 Features 'T'-tail and VW engine". Sport Flying: 40–43. October 1972.
- Simpson, Rod (2001). Airlife's World Aircraft. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84037-115-4.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. ISBN 0-7106-0710-5.