PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader

M-18 Dromader
M-18B Dromader used in South Dakota
Role	Utility aircraft
Manufacturer	PZL-Mielec
First flight	27 August 1976
Number built	> 740

The PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader (Polish: "Dromedary") is a single engine agricultural aircraft that is manufactured by PZL-Mielec in Poland. The aircraft is used mainly as a cropduster or firefighting machine.

Development

PZL-Mielec, then known as WSK-Mielec, began to design the Dromader in the mid 1970s, with help of United States aircraft manufacturer Rockwell International. PZL-Mielec asked for Rockwell's help because of the political situation at the time: operating in an Eastern Bloc country, PZL wanted the aircraft to sell well worldwide, and the company realized that FAA certification would be important in reaching that goal. Rockwell on the other hand wanted to fit Polish high-power radial engines into its agricultural planes. As a result of this cooperation the Rockwell Thrush Commander aircraft was fitted with the PZL-3 engine, and the Polish designers created the higher payload M-18 Dromader by introducing the more powerful ASz-62 engine, making structural changes to the airframe, and increasing dimensions. This co-operation meant that the Dromader shares outer wing panels and part of a fuselage with the Thrush Commander.

The first prototype of the aircraft flew on August 27, 1976. In September 1978, the aircraft was given certification to fly in Poland. Certifications from many countries around the world followed soon.

Many aircraft of the M-18 type and its variations can still be seen around the world. They were sold to 24 countries, 200 are used in the USA.

Most Dromaders are easy to distinguish because of their yellow color. Over 740 had been built by 2006. Currently (2006) models M-18B and M-18BS are offered by PZL-Mielec.

PZL M-18B Dromader as waterbomber

Variants

• M-18 - original one-seat production version, now^[update] available for special orders only.
• M-18A - two seater available from 1984 onwards. Allows a mechanic or chemical loader to be carried as a passenger to remote fields.
  • M-18AS - two-cockpit trainer version
• M-18B - refined version of M-18A with increased capacity, flown in 1993.
  • M-18BS - two-cockpit trainer.
• M-18C - version with more powerful 895 kW (1,200 hp) Kalisz K-9 engine. Flown in 1995 but not produced.
• M-18/T45 Turbine Dromader - turboprop powered with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 engine. First flew in 1985 and was given FAA certification in April 1986.
• M-21 Dromader Mini - smaller variant (1100 kg of chemicals), flown in 1982, not produced.
• M-24 Dromader Super - bigger variant (2000 kg of chemicals), flown in 1987, not produced.
• M-25 Dromader Mikro - smaller variant (500 kg of chemicals), sketch only.

Operators

 Argentina

 Australia

• AGA Services
• Dunn's Aviation
• Leafair
• Northhampton Holdings
• Woorayl Air Services

 Bulgaria

• Fortuna Air

 Canada

• Epandair Inc.
• Supermarine Aircraft Inc.

 Chile

• Alas Agricolas
• Corporación Nacional Forestal operates at least two aircraft.

 China

 Czech Republic

• Agroair
• Air Special
• Beta Air

 Germany

 Greece

• Hellenic Air Force

 Hungary

 Italy

 Morocco

 Montenegro

 Nicaragua

 Poland

• Aerogryf
• Aeroklub Polski
• Lasy Państwowe
• Zakład Usług Agrolotniczych

 Serbia

• JAT Privredna Avijacija

 South Africa

• Birdog Aviation

 Spain

• Avialsa
• Tratamientos Aereos Martinez Ridao

 Turkey

• Türk Hava Kurumu

 United States

• Downstown Aero Group Service
• North Carolina Division of Forest Resources
• South Dakota operates aircraft for wildland fire suppression.
• Valley Air Service
• Western Pilot Service

 Venezuela

Specifications (M-18B Dromader)

M-18B Dromader dropping water

M-18B Dromader dropping water

PZL-Mielec M18 Dromader

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot
• Capacity: one passenger, and up to 2,500 L (660 US gallons) or 2,200 kg (4,850 lb) of chemicals
• Length: 9.47 m (31 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 17.70 m (58 ft 0¾ in)
• Height: 3.70 m (12 ft 1¾ in)
• Wing area: 40.00 m² (430.5 ft²)
• Airfoil: NACA 4416 at root, 4412 on outer wings
• Empty weight: 2,710 kg^[2] (5,975 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 5,300 kg (11,700 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × WSK "PZL-Kalisz" ASz-62IR piston radial, 731 kW (980 hp)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 280 km/h (151 knots, 174 mph)
• Maximum speed: 230 km/h (124 knots, 143 mph)
• Stall speed: 108 km/h (59 knots, 68mph) (flaps down)
• Range: 970 km (523 nmi, 602 miles)
• Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,320 ft)
• Rate of climb: 6.5 m/s (1,280 ft/min)

See also

Related development

• Rockwell Thrush Commander
• PZL M-24 Dromader Super
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Embraer EMB 202 Ipanema
• PZL-106 Kruk
• Zlin Z-37 Cmelak
  

References

1. ^ Jackson 2003, pp. 338–339.
2. ^ Taylor 1999, p.450. (M-18A)

• Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1 85753 245 7.

External links

• PZL-Mielec page
• PZL M21 Dromader Mini
• dromader-web.de