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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{{Infobox aircraft
|name=Twin Courier
|name=Twin Courier
|image=Helio U-5A Twin Courier.jpg
|image=Helio U-5A Twin Courier.jpg
|caption=U-5A Twin Courier
|caption=U-5A Twin Courier
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
|type = [[STOL]] light transport
|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:. -->
|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]]
|manufacturer = [[Helio Aircraft Company]]
|designer = <!--Only appropriate for single designers, not project leaders-->
|designer = <!--Only appropriate for single designers, not project leaders-->
|first flight = April 1960
|first_flight = April 1960
|introduction = <!--Date the aircraft entered or will enter military or revenue service-->
|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 -->
|retired = <!--Date the aircraft left service. If vague or more than a few dates, skip this -->
|status = <!--In most cases, redundant; use sparingly-->
|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. -->
|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/>. -->
|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 -->
|produced = <!--Years in production (eg. 1970-1999) if still in active use but no longer built -->
|number built = 7
|number_built = 7
|program cost = <!--Total program cost-->
|program cost = <!--Total program cost-->
|unit cost = <!--Incremental or flyaway cost for military or retail price for commercial aircraft-->
|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-->
|developed_from = [[Helio Courier]]<!--The aircraft which formed the basis for this aircraft-->
|variants with their own articles = <!--Variants OF 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==
==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.<ref>{{cite journal|magazine=Flying Magazine|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.
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.
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.


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==Specifications (U-5A Twin Courier)==
==Specifications (U-5A Twin Courier)==
{{Aircraft specs
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66 <ref name="Janes 65 p242"> Taylor 1965, p.242.</ref>
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66 <ref name="Janes 65 p242">Taylor 1965, p.242.</ref>
|prime units?=imp<!-- "imp", "kts" or "met" to display the units in a given order. Without an entry here, no specifications will show -->
|prime units?=imp<!-- "imp", "kts" or "met" to display the units in a given order. Without an entry here, no specifications will show -->
<!--
<!--
General characteristics
General characteristics
-->
-->
|genhide=
|genhide=


|crew=1
|crew=1
Line 84: Line 83:


|prop blade number=2<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop blade number=2<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=Hartzell
|prop name=[[Hartzell Propeller|Hartzell]]
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=7<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=7<!-- propeller aircraft -->
Line 117: Line 116:


==References==
==References==
{{commonscat|Helio Courier}}
{{commons category|Helio U-5A}}
;Notes
;Notes
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
;Bibliography
;Bibliography
*[[John W. R. Taylor|Taylor, John W. R.]] (editor). ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66''. London:Sampson Low, Marston, 1965.
*[[John W. R. Taylor|Taylor, John W. R.]] (editor). ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66''. London:Sampson Low, Marston, 1965.
* [http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Helio+Twin-Courier&offset=0 "Helio Twin-Courier"] Probert Encyclopaedia
* [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"] All Metal Plane
* [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
* 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|Twin Courier]]
[[Category:Helio aircraft|Twin Courier]]
⚫
[[Category:Twin-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[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
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Helio_Twin_Courier&oldid=1259937013"