One of Our Favorite Birds Gets An Upgrade

To anyone who has known me for any length of time... at least long enough to have THE conversation about what constitutes our favorite airplanes, there is little doubt about my love for the AirCam... an amazing twin-engine sport aircraft with nary a bad-tempered bone in its body and a bag of tricks that never seems to run dry.

The Air-Cam is a unique, twin-engine, light aircraft, with impressive STOL capabilities (and even more impressive manners) that include the ability to fly into short, unimproved airstrips or operated safely over the most challenging terrain on the globe.

Two decades ago the National Geographic Society commissioned the design and construction of the AirCam, and the serial #1 was shipped to the Congo and flown for National Geographic by Phil Lockwood.

In the 200 HP (Rotax 912S) version, the AirCam boasts some impressive stats. It has a gross weight of 1680 lbs, an empty weight of 1040 lbs, and a stall speed of 39 mph. It has a wide cruise range... from 50 mph to a bit over 100 mph, as well as a Vne of 110 mph. The rate of climb is 1500 fpm, while 2000 fpm is possible for lighter solo operations.

The single engine ROC is a solid (and VERY well-behaved) 300 fpm. On a 28 gallon tank, the AirCam has a range of 340 miles (at 70 mph), though the long range endurance mode offers flights as long as 6 hours. Takeoffs require less than 200 feet and landings can be done in as little 300 feet. Overall, though, the most amazing thing about the AirCam is the truly inspired handling qualities boasted by this aircraft... even in single-engine mode. It's easily one of the best handling airplanes currently on the market.

BUT... it is not a cold-weather airplane... unless you bundle up... so the news of a full enclosure, easily retrofittable to the AirCam fleet is BIG news... follow along and see what we mean.

FMI: www.aircam.com, www.lockwood-aviation.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews