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{{Infobox aircraft
|name=Twin Courier
|image=Helio U-5A Twin Courier.jpg
|caption=U-5A Twin Courier
|type = [[STOL]] light transport
|national_origin = [[United States of America]]<!-- Use the main nation (ie. UK), not constituent country (England); don't use "EU". List collaborative programs of only 2 or 3 nations; for more than 3, use "Multi-national:. -->
|manufacturer = [[Helio Aircraft Company]]
|designer = <!--Only appropriate for single designers, not project leaders-->
|first_flight = April 1960
|introduction = <!--Date the aircraft entered or will enter military or revenue service-->
|retired = <!--Date the aircraft left service. If vague or more than a few dates, skip this -->
|status = <!--In most cases, redundant; use sparingly-->
|primary_user = <!-- List only one user; for military aircraft, this is a nation or a service arm. Please DON'T add those tiny flags, as they limit horizontal space. -->
|more_users = <!-- Limited to THREE (3) 'more users' here (4 total users). Separate users with <br/>. -->
|produced = <!--Years in production (eg. 1970-1999) if still in active use but no longer built -->
|number_built = 7
|program cost = <!--Total program cost-->
|unit cost = <!--Incremental or flyaway cost for military or retail price for commercial aircraft-->
|developed_from = [[Helio Courier]]<!--The aircraft which formed the basis for this aircraft-->
|variants = <!--Variants OF this aircraft-->
}}
The '''Helio Twin Courier''' is a twin-engined version of the [[Helio Courier]], with very few examples being produced.
The '''Helio Twin Courier''' is a twin-engined version of the [[Helio Courier]], with very few examples being produced.


==Design and development==
Known by Helio as the model '''H-500''' this [[STOL]] aircraft mounted twin Lycoming engines on top of the high-set wing, close to the fuselage. With the engines mounted in this manner, lateral and over-the-nose visibility were much improved while the propellers were kept clear of cabin doors and away from possible debris damage during rough field operations.
Known by Helio as the model '''H-500''' this [[STOL]] aircraft mounted twin Lycoming engines on top of the high-set wing, close to the fuselage.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Flying (magazine)|Flying]]|title=Newsreel|date=May 1962|page=69}}</ref> With the engines mounted in this manner, lateral and over-the-nose visibility were much improved while the propellers were kept clear of cabin doors and away from possible debris damage during rough field operations. This was a tail-wheel design, so the vertical component of propeller thrust assisted STOL take-off performance from rough fields.
In 1967 or 68, work was started on a redesign of the Twin Courier in a tricycle-gear configuration for the commercial market, since many firms which desired STOL capability had regulations which required multi-engine aircraft. The company ran out of money and the project was terminated.


Much of the aircraft structure was based on the Helio Stallion, a single-engine turboprop version of the more successful Helio Courier.
The aircraft structure of the Helio Stallion, a single-engine turboprop version of the more successful Helio Courier, was based on the design of the Twin Courier.<ref name="SomeGuyShootin'TheBreezeWithBobOverABeerLastWeekButWeDidn'tTakeAnyNotesOrPublishAnything">Discussion with Robert Devine, Principal Engineer at Helio Aircraft during the 60s, on 3/12/2010.</ref>


The Twin Courier could seat six and first flew in 1960, being awarded FAA certification in late 1963. Only seven examples were built, these receiving the [[United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations|United States Armed Forces designation]] '''U-5A'''. One was reported to have been evaluated by US Army Special Forces.
The Twin Courier could seat six and first flew in April 1960, being awarded FAA certification on June 11, 1963.<ref name="Janes 65 p242"/> (The Twin Courier met FAA requirements marginally and was certificated to meet immediate needs for service in Vietnam, on the understanding that the design would not be marketed commercially. Thus, the redesign mentioned above.) Only seven examples were built, these receiving the [[United States Department of Defense Aerospace Vehicle Designations|United States Armed Forces designation]] '''U-5A'''. One was reported to have been evaluated by US Army Special Forces. Furthermore, fully automatic full-span, leading-edge slats were fitted along with high-lift flaps.


== Operators ==
Fully automatic full-span leading edge slats were fitted along with high-lift flaps.

;{{IND}}
* [[Aviation Research Centre]]
* [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Indian Intelligence Bureau]]

;{{USA}}
* [[Air America (airline)|Air America]]
* [[CIA]]
* [[United States Air Force]]


==Specifications (U-5A Twin Courier)==
==Specifications (U-5A Twin Courier)==
{{Aircraft specs
===General characteristics===
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66 <ref name="Janes 65 p242">Taylor 1965, p.242.</ref>
* '''Crew:''' 1 pilot
|prime units?=imp<!-- "imp", "kts" or "met" to display the units in a given order. Without an entry here, no specifications will show -->
* '''Capacity:''' 5 passengers
<!--
* '''Length:''' 30 ft 3 in (9.22 m)
General characteristics
* '''Wingspan:''' 41 ft 0 in (12.49 m)
-->
* '''Height:''' 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
|genhide=
* '''Wing area:''' 242 ft² (22.48 m²)
* '''Empty:''' 3,190 lb (1447 kg)
* '''Loaded:''' 4,500 lb normal (2041.2 kg), 5,725 lb. maximum (2597 kg)
* '''Powerplant:''' 2 [[Lycoming O-540]]-A2B 250 hp (186.4 kW)


|crew=1
===Performance===
|capacity=5 passengers
* '''Maximum speed:''' 187 mph (301 km/h), Cruise (60% power) 170 mph (273.5 km/h)
|length m=
* '''Range:''' 835 miles (1344 km)
|length ft=32
* '''Service ceiling:''' 22,000 ft (6706 m)
|length in=0
|span m=
|span ft=41
|span in=0
|height m=
|height ft=8
|height in=10
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=242
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=3126
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=5850
|fuel capacity=
<!--
Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Lycoming O-540|Lycoming O-540-A2B]] or -C2C
|eng1 type=air-cooled [[flat-six]]
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=250<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->


|prop blade number=2<!-- propeller aircraft -->
==References==
|prop name=[[Hartzell Propeller|Hartzell]]
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=7<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=0<!-- propeller aircraft -->


<!--
* [http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Helio+Twin-Courier&offset=0]
Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=185
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at sea level
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph=166<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=(econ cruise, 60% power) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
|range km=
|range miles=1500
|range note=(max fuel)
|range nmi=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=19500
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=1640
|more performance=

|avionics=
}}

==References==
{{commons category|Helio U-5A}}
;Notes
{{reflist}}
;Bibliography
*[[John W. R. Taylor|Taylor, John W. R.]] (editor). ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66''. London:Sampson Low, Marston, 1965.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110608173346/http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Helio+Twin-Courier&offset=0 "Helio Twin-Courier"] Probert Encyclopaedia
* [http://www.allmetalplane.com/UNUSUALAIRP2.html "UNUSUAL AIRPLANES 2"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118112353/http://www.allmetalplane.com/UNUSUALAIRP2.html |date=2022-01-18 }} All Metal Plane
* http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1965/1965%20-%200543.html?search=Helio%20Twin%20Courier


{{Helio aircraft}}
{{Helio aircraft}}
{{US utility aircraft}}
{{US utility aircraft}}
{{aviation lists}}


[[Category:United States civil utility aircraft 1960-1969]]
[[Category:1960s United States civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Helio aircraft]]
[[Category:Helio aircraft|Twin Courier]]
[[Category:STOL]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1960]]
[[Category:STOL aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]

Latest revision as of 22:24, 27 November 2024

Twin Courier
U-5A Twin Courier
General information
TypeSTOL light transport
National originUnited States of America
ManufacturerHelio Aircraft Company
Number built7
History
First flightApril 1960
Developed fromHelio Courier

The Helio Twin Courier is a twin-engined version of the Helio Courier, with very few examples being produced.

Design and development

[edit]

Known by Helio as the model H-500 this STOL aircraft mounted twin Lycoming engines on top of the high-set wing, close to the fuselage.[1] With the engines mounted in this manner, lateral and over-the-nose visibility were much improved while the propellers were kept clear of cabin doors and away from possible debris damage during rough field operations. This was a tail-wheel design, so the vertical component of propeller thrust assisted STOL take-off performance from rough fields. In 1967 or 68, work was started on a redesign of the Twin Courier in a tricycle-gear configuration for the commercial market, since many firms which desired STOL capability had regulations which required multi-engine aircraft. The company ran out of money and the project was terminated.

The aircraft structure of the Helio Stallion, a single-engine turboprop version of the more successful Helio Courier, was based on the design of the Twin Courier.[2]

The Twin Courier could seat six and first flew in April 1960, being awarded FAA certification on June 11, 1963.[3] (The Twin Courier met FAA requirements marginally and was certificated to meet immediate needs for service in Vietnam, on the understanding that the design would not be marketed commercially. Thus, the redesign mentioned above.) Only seven examples were built, these receiving the United States Armed Forces designation U-5A. One was reported to have been evaluated by US Army Special Forces. Furthermore, fully automatic full-span, leading-edge slats were fitted along with high-lift flaps.

Operators

[edit]
 India
 United States

Specifications (U-5A Twin Courier)

[edit]

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66 [3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 5 passengers
  • Length: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
  • Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)
  • Wing area: 242 sq ft (22.5 m2)
  • Empty weight: 3,126 lb (1,418 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 5,850 lb (2,654 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming O-540-A2B or -C2C air-cooled flat-six, 250 hp (190 kW) each
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Hartzell, 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 185 mph (298 km/h, 161 kn) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 166 mph (267 km/h, 144 kn) (econ cruise, 60% power) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
  • Range: 1,500 mi (2,400 km, 1,300 nmi) (max fuel)
  • Service ceiling: 19,500 ft (5,900 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,640 ft/min (8.3 m/s)

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Helio U-5A.
Notes
  1. ^ "Newsreel". Flying: 69. May 1962.
  2. ^ Discussion with Robert Devine, Principal Engineer at Helio Aircraft during the 60s, on 3/12/2010.
  3. ^ a b Taylor 1965, p.242.
Bibliography
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