Creative Flight Aerocat

Creative Flight Aerocat
Aerocat prototype
Role	Kit aircraft
National origin	Canada
Manufacturer	Creative Flight
Designer	Kirk Creelman
First flight	15 July 2001 (single engine) 5 September 2002 (twin)
Introduction	2001
Number built	One
Unit cost	$119,000 single engine kit, $124,000 twin engine kit (2009)

The Creative Flight Aerocat is a Canadian mid-wing, all composite, four passenger experimental aircraft that can be configured for amphibious float operations. The aircraft is supplied in kit form by Creative Flight of Haliburton, Ontario for amateur construction.^[1][2]

Design and development

Development started in 1998 on the MPA Aerocat. In 2002, the vehicle was renamed the Creative Flight Aerocat.^[3]

The all composite aircraft features a distinctive gull-wing design with pods that floats can attach to. A twin engine variant is powered by two Jabiru 3300 engines. In both the case of the single and twin engined versions, the engines are mounted in pusher configuration on a composite arch behind the cockpit.^[2]

Operational history

The single engine prototype flew in 2001, then was retrofitted for twin engine operations and flown in 2002. Shortly afterward the aircraft was test flown with floats.^[4] In 2003, the prototype was flown to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow and displayed.^[1]

As of 2011 the prototype, C-GYCC, remained the sole example flying.^[2][5]

Variants

SR

Single engine version with retractable gear, powered by two Jabiru 3300 120 hp (89 kW) engines.^[2]

SRX

Single engine version with retractable gear and floats, powered by two Jabiru 3300 120 hp (89 kW) engines^[2]

TR

Twin engine version with retractable gear, powered by a Crossflow CF4-20THO 250 hp (186 kW) engine^[2]

TR

Twin engine version with retractable gear and floats, powered by a Crossflow CF4-20THO 250 hp (186 kW) engine^[2]

Specifications (Aerocat SR)

Data from Creative Flight^[1]

General characteristics

• Empty weight: 794 kg (1,750 lb)
• Gross weight: 1,361 kg (3,000 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 68 gallons
• Powerplant: 1 × Crossflow CF4-20THO , 190 kW (250 hp)

Performance

• Cruise speed: 298 km/h; 161 kn (185 mph)
• Stall speed: 80 km/h; 43 kn (50 mph)
• Rate of climb: 6.1 m/s (1,200 ft/min)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Aerocat". http://www.creativeflight.com/news.html. Retrieved 14 Feb 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Downey, Julia: 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 47. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
3. ^ Janes All the World's Aircraft. 2005. 
4. ^ "Creative Flight Aerocat (Canada), Aircraft - Fixed-wing - Civil". http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-All-the-Worlds-Aircraft/Creative-Flight-Aerocat-Canada.html. Retrieved 14 Feb 2011. 
5. ^ Transport Canada (February 2011). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". http://wwwapps2.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/ccarcs/aspscripts/en/quicksearch.asp. Retrieved 15 February 2011. 

External links

• Official website