AMD Alarus

Infobox Aircraft
name=AMD Alarus


caption=
type=Personal use & Trainer aircraft
manufacturer=Aircraft Manufacturing and Development
designer=Chris Heintz, Zenair, Ltd.
first flight=
introduced=1995
retired=
status=
primary user= Iraqi Air Force
more users=
produced=Eastman, Georgia
number built=
unit cost=$139,000 cite web|url = http://www.newplane.com/amd/amd/services/purchasing.html|title = Alarus CH2000 Price List|accessdate = 2008-02-25|last = Aircraft Manufacturing and Design|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = February]
variants with their own articles=The AMD Alarus CH2000 is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear general aviation airplane, used primarily for flight training. It is manufactured by Aircraft Manufacturing and Design Co. in Eastman, GA. It is a low-wing aircraft, with one door located above each wing, respectively. cite web|url = http://www.newplane.com/amd/amd/products/ch2000.html|title = ALARUS CH2000 - FAA CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT|accessdate = 2008-02-25|last = Aircraft Manufacturing and Design|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = February] It can be considered a competitor to similar aircraft used for flight training, such as the Diamond DA20. The Alarus features Garmin avionics and a 46-inch wide cabin.

Variants

Currently the Alarus is offered in two variants: the AMD Alarus CH2000 general aviation aircraft and the SAMA CH2000 Military Tactical Surveillance Aircraft (MTSA). cite web|url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/ch2000.htm|title = SAMA CH2000|accessdate = 2008-02-25|last = Pike|first = John|authorlink = |year = 2005|month = June]

AMA CH2000

The SAMA CH2000 is a military surveillance variant of the Alarus. It is equipped withforward looking infrared – a multi sensor imager offering high performance, precision and high level imaging..

The aircraft is also equipped with state-of-the-art communications systems for secure air-to-air and air-to-ground communications and is equipped for day and night missions. The aircraft is manufactured in Amman, Jordan and Baghdad, Iraq. cite web|url = http://www.jai.jo/about_sama/index.html|title = About Sama CH2000 Series|accessdate = 2008-02-25|last = Jordan Aerospace Industries Company|authorlink = |year = 2007]

The first SAMA CH2000s were delivered to the Iraqi Air Force 70th Squadron, based in in Basrah on 29 October 2004. The Iraqi Air Force acquired between 8 and 16 aircraft at a cost of USD$5.8M with deliveries completed by the end of March 2005.

Operators

The Alarus can currently be found operating at some flight schools in the USA. Operating costs are generally low, and the aircraft is easy to maintain, allowing flight schools to keep costs low for students.

In February 2008 there were 113 CH2000 Alarus registered in the USA [ cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/acftinqSQL.asp?striptxt=CH2000&mfrtxt=&cmndfind.x=20&cmndfind.y=18&cmndfind=submit&modeltxt=CH2000|title = Make / Model Inquiry Results|accessdate = 2008-02-25|last = Federal Aviation Administration|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = February] and four in Canada. [ cite web|url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/activepages/ccarcs/aspscripts/en/quicksearch.asp|title = Civil Aircraft Register|accessdate = 2008-02-25|last = Transport Canada|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = February]

The only confirmed military user of the CH2000 is the Iraqi Air Force, currently operating 8 aircraft out of an original order of 16. All aircraft are operated by the Iraqi 70th Reconnaissance squadron.

pecifications

aircraft specifications
plane
prop
ref= AMD Website cite web|url = http://www.newplane.com/amd/amd/products/specification.html|title = Specifications List - Alarus|accessdate = 2008-02-25|last = Aircraft Manufacturing and Design|authorlink = |year = undated]
crew=2
capacity=2
length main=23in
length alt= m
span main= 28ft 10in
span alt= m
height main= 6ft 10in
height alt= m
area main= 137ft²
area alt= m²
airfoil=
empty weight main=1085 lb
empty weight alt= kg
loaded weight main=1692 lb
loaded weight alt= kg
useful load main=607 lb
useful load alt= kg
max takeoff weight main= lb
max takeoff weight alt= kg
more general=

max speed main= 139 knots
max speed alt=160 mph, km/h
cruise speed main=99 knots
cruise speed alt=114 mph, km/h
never exceed speed main=139 knots
never exceed speed alt=160 mph, km/h
stall speed main=48 knots
stall speed alt=55 mph, km/h
range main= nm
range alt= mi, km
ceiling main= ft
ceiling alt= m
climb rate main=750 ft/min
climb rate alt= m/s
loading main= lb/ft²
loading alt= kg/m²
thrust/weight=
power/mass main= hp/lb
power/mass alt= W/kg
more performance=

armament=

avionics=Garmin, Bendix/King

References/ External Links

* [http://www.newplane.com/amd/amd/downloads/CH2000_info_pack_01_03.PDF Info Packet]
* [http://www.newplane.com/amd/amd/products/ch2000.html CH 2000]