Pitcairn PA-19

PA-19
Role Utility autogyro
National origin United States
Manufacturer Pitcairn
Designer Robert Noorduyn
First flight September 1932
Number built 5

The Pitcairn PA-19 was a four-seat autogyro developed in the United States in the early 1930s.[1] While most of Pitcairn's autogyro designs featured open cockpits in tandem, the PA-19 had a fully enclosed cabin.[2][3] It also had wings that carried control surfaces.[2] The rotor provided lift only, but could be tilted in flight to trim the aircraft.[4] Four examples were built before the effects of the Great Depression forced Pitcairn to abandon autogyro production in 1934.[2][4]

Henry Latham Doherty purchased one to promote his "Florida Year-Round Clubs", while the Guinness Brewery purchased two. Colonel Robert L. Montgomery purchased one to commute between his homes, and Pitcairn Aviation kept one as a demonstrator.[5]


Specifications

Data from "Pitcairn, A G A, Pitcairn-Cierva, Pitcairn-Larsen"

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Capacity: 3-4 passengers
  • Length: 25 ft 9 in (7.85 m)
  • Wingspan: 38 ft 8 in (11.79 m)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-975-E2 , 420 hp (310 kW)
  • Main rotor diameter: 50 ft 8 in (15.44 m)
  • Main rotor area: 2,014 sq ft (187.2 m2)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Range: 350 mi (560 km, 300 nmi)

References

Notes
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pitcairn aircraft.
  1. ^ Taylor 1989, p.735
  2. ^ a b c The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p.2739
  3. ^ "Autogiro With Two Rudders And Four Place Cabin", January 1933, Popular Mechanics rare photo of PA-19
  4. ^ a b "Archimedes Museum Photo Gallery"
  5. ^ Smith, Frank (1981). Legacy of Wings; The Harold F. Pitcairn Story. New York: Jason Aronson, Inc. pp. 212–216. ISBN 0876684851.
Bibliography
  • "Archimedes Museum Photo Gallery". Archimedes Rotorcraft & V/STOL Museum website (cached copy). Mentone, Indiana: Archimedes Rotorcraft & V/STOL Museum. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  • "Pitcairn, A G A, Pitcairn-Cierva, Pitcairn-Larsen". Aerofiles. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.