The PIK-19 Muhinu was a light aircraft developed in Finland in the early 1970s for use as a glider tug and flight trainer.[1] It was a low-wing cantilever monoplane of conventional configuration, with an enclosed cockpit and fixed, tricycle undercarriage.[1] Its construction was of composite materials throughout,[2] a novel approach at the time. When the PIK-19 flew for the first time in 1972, it was only the fourth aircraft in the world made of these materials.[3]

PIK-19 Muhinu
black and white side profile photograph of a PIK-19 Muhinu light aircraft on the ground with a person in the cockpit. the writing on the side of the aeroplane reads "OH-MHX"
Role Glider tug
National origin Finland
Manufacturer Helsinki University of Technology
First flight 26 March 1972
Number built 1

The project was undertaken as a joint venture by the Finnish government and the Helsinki University of Technology.[3] Its "PIK" designation belongs to a sequence of designations applied to the aircraft designed and built by the university's gliding club, Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho, although this was not a project by the club.[3] Design work commenced in 1969 under the leadership of Jukka Tervamäki, Ilkka Rantasalo and Pekka Tammi and the prototype flew on 26 March 1972.[1] Plans for production in series were never realised,[4] and the single prototype was the only example ever built.[1] Over the next 21 years, it accumulated 5217 hours of flying time and some 40,000 glider tows.[3] It was destroyed in a crash in June 1994 when the engine failed at low altitude.[1]

Specifications

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Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1974-75[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two
  • Length: 6.90 m (22 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 14.00 m2 (150.7 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 7.14
  • Airfoil: NACA 632415
  • Empty weight: 560 kg (1,235 lb) equipped
  • Max takeoff weight: 840 kg (1,852 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 150 L (33 Imp gal; 40 ?US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320-B2BC flat four, 120 kW (160 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed McCauley1A-175/GM-8241 for towing and 1C-172/MGM-7657 for other tasks, Both fixed pitch, metal blades.

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 220 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn) maximum, 75% power
  • Stall speed: 83 km/h (52 mph, 45 kn) flaps down
  • Never exceed speed: 310 km/h (190 mph, 170 kn)
  • Range: 950 km (590 mi, 510 nmi) maximum fuel, no reserves, 65% power
  • Rate of climb: 7.00 m/s (1,378 ft/min)
  • Time to altitude: maximum
  • Wing loading: 60.0 kg/m2 (12.3 lb/sq ft)
  • Take-off to 15 m (50 ft): 240 m (787 ft)
  • Landing from 15 m (50 ft): 220 m (722 ft

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e "PIK-sarjan lentokoneet"
  2. ^ "Finnish Newcomer" 1979, p.1900
  3. ^ a b c d "Projects in Various Organizations"
  4. ^ Taylor 1989, p.726
  5. ^ Taylor, John W. R. p.40

References

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  • "Finnish Newcomer". Flight International: 1900. 8 December 1979. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  • "PIK-sarjan lentokoneet". Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho website. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
  • Taylor, John W R (1974). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1974-75. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-354-00502-2.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
  • Tervamäki, Jukka. "Projects in Various Organizations". The Home Page of Jukka Tervamaki. Retrieved 2009-01-13.