A short takeoff and landing ( STOL ) aircraft is a conventional fixed-wing aircraft that has short runway requirements for takeoff and landing . Many STOL-designed aircraft also feature various arrangements for use on airstrips with harsh conditions (such as high altitude or ice). STOL aircraft, including those used in scheduled passenger airline operations, have also been operated from STOLport airfields which feature short runways.
50-624: The Pilatus PC-6 Porter is a single-engined STOL utility aircraft designed by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. First flown in 1959, the PC-6 was produced at Pilatus Flugzeugwerke in Stans , Switzerland. It has been built in both piston engine - and turboprop -powered versions, and was produced under licence for a time by Fairchild Hiller in the United States. After 604 deliveries in 63 years, Pilatus ended production in 2022. On 4 May 1959,
100-443: A firefighting system, aerial application system, underwing tanks, sand filters , propeller de-icing system, mudguard , tailwheel debris guard, oxygen system, and additional power distribution system. The PC-6 is noted for its Short Takeoff and Landing ( STOL ) performance on almost any type of terrain - it can take off within a distance of 640 feet (195 m) and land within a distance of 427 feet (130 m) while carrying
150-451: A 2,200 lb payload, may be carried within the aircraft's main cabin area within the rear section of the fuselage; the standard passenger seats are designed to allow for rapid removal and may be stowed within an optional separate externally-accessed seat stowage compartment behind the main cabin. The main cabin area is furnished with soundproofing measures, ventilation, and heating as standard. A maximum of three fuel tanks can also be carried in
200-467: A 50-foot (15 meters) obstacle within 1,500 feet (450 meters) of commencing takeoff or in landing, to stop within 1,500 feet (450 meters) after passing over a 50-foot (15 meters) obstacle. Also called STOL. STOL (Short Take Off and Landing). STOL performance of an aircraft is the ability of aircraft to take off and clear a 50-foot obstruction in a distance of 1,500 feet from beginning the takeoff run. It must also be able to stop within 1,500 feet after crossing
250-467: A 50-foot (15 meters) obstacle within 1,500 feet (450 meters) of commencing takeoff or in landing, to stop within 1,500 feet (450 meters) after passing over a 50-foot (15 meters) obstacle. Also called STOL. STOL (Short Take Off and Landing). STOL performance of an aircraft is the ability of aircraft to take off and clear a 50-foot obstruction in a distance of 1,500 feet from beginning the takeoff run. It must also be able to stop within 1,500 feet after crossing
300-443: A 50-foot obstacle on landing. An aircraft that, at some weight within its approved operating weight, is capable of operating from a STOL runway in compliance with the applicable STOL characteristics and airworthiness, operations, noise, and pollution standards" and ""aircraft" means any machine capable of deriving support in the atmosphere A STOL aircraft is an aircraft with a certified performance capability to execute approaches along
350-443: A 50-foot obstacle on landing. An aircraft that, at some weight within its approved operating weight, is capable of operating from a STOL runway in compliance with the applicable STOL characteristics and airworthiness, operations, noise, and pollution standards" and ""aircraft" means any machine capable of deriving support in the atmosphere A STOL aircraft is an aircraft with a certified performance capability to execute approaches along
400-467: A 50-ft (15-m) obstacle at the end of that distance and upon landing can clear the same obstacle and then land within 1,000 ft. The STOL mode of flight is one during which an airplane taking off or landing is operated at climb-out and approach speeds lower than the conventionally accepted margins of airspeed above the power-off stalling speed of the airplane. Additionally, some aircraft manufacturers market their products as STOL without providing evidence that
450-467: A 50-ft (15-m) obstacle at the end of that distance and upon landing can clear the same obstacle and then land within 1,000 ft. The STOL mode of flight is one during which an airplane taking off or landing is operated at climb-out and approach speeds lower than the conventionally accepted margins of airspeed above the power-off stalling speed of the airplane. Additionally, some aircraft manufacturers market their products as STOL without providing evidence that
500-470: A glideslope of 6 degrees or steeper and to execute missed approaches at a climb gradient sufficient to clear a 15:1 missed approach surface at sea level... A STOL runway is one which is specifically designated and marked for STOL aircraft operations, and designed and maintained to specified standards. Heavier-than-air craft that cannot take off and land vertically, but can operate within areas substantially more confined than those normally required by aircraft of
550-470: A glideslope of 6 degrees or steeper and to execute missed approaches at a climb gradient sufficient to clear a 15:1 missed approach surface at sea level... A STOL runway is one which is specifically designated and marked for STOL aircraft operations, and designed and maintained to specified standards. Heavier-than-air craft that cannot take off and land vertically, but can operate within areas substantially more confined than those normally required by aircraft of
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#1732791724760600-803: A long service life; by 1993, roughly 440 of the 500 PC-6 Turbo Porters completed by that point were still in service. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Central Intelligence Agency -controlled airline Air America operated up to 23 PC-6s at a time. Many of these were operated in the South-East Asia region, including South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The type was used for various missions, including paradropping supplies to troops, passenger transport, psychological warfare , reconnaissance, prisoner conveyance, airborne radio relay , and other intelligence operations. Since 1976,
650-530: A pair of UV-20s were assigned to the aviation detachment of the Berlin Brigade in Germany due to their suitability for operating within the heavily restricted airspace; they were fitted for carrying either cargo, up to eleven passengers, or three litters with four medical attendants. After nearly 600 deliveries in six decades including about 90 Fairchild-Hiller built and 425 PT6-powered, but only 52 in
700-546: A payload of 2,646 lbs (1,200 kg). Thanks to its STOL performance, the PC-6 holds the world record for highest landing by a fixed-wing aircraft , at 18,865 feet (5,750 m), on the Dhaulagiri glacier in Nepal . Due to the type's favourable STOL characteristics, described by the magazine Flying as being "one of the most helicopter-like airplanes in terms of takeoff performance", Pilatus has deliberately marketed
750-529: A single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine, which drives a fully reversible, constant-speed, three-bladed HC-B3TN-3D (or an alternative four-bladed HC-D4N-3P) Hartzell aluminium propeller via a reduction gearbox . Pilatus claims that it possesses unique STOL capabilities, capable of landing in places only otherwise accessible by rotorcraft . It is fully capable of being operated from unprepared rough airstrips, in remote areas, hot climates and at high altitudes in all-weather conditions. In particular,
800-438: Is a function of the square of the minimum flying speed ( stall speed ), and most design effort is spent on reducing this number. For takeoff , large power/weight ratios and low drag help the plane to accelerate for flight. The landing run is minimized by strong brakes , low landing speed, thrust reversers or spoilers (less common). Overall STOL performance is set by the length of runway needed to land or take off, whichever
850-438: Is a function of the square of the minimum flying speed ( stall speed ), and most design effort is spent on reducing this number. For takeoff , large power/weight ratios and low drag help the plane to accelerate for flight. The landing run is minimized by strong brakes , low landing speed, thrust reversers or spoilers (less common). Overall STOL performance is set by the length of runway needed to land or take off, whichever
900-679: Is critical, because many small, isolated communities rely on STOL aircraft as their only transportation link to the outside world for passengers or cargo; examples include many communities in the Canadian north and Alaska . Most STOL aircraft can land either on- or off-airport. Typical off-airport landing areas include snow or ice (using skis), fields or gravel riverbanks (often using special fat, low-pressure tundra tires ), and water (using floats ): these areas are often extremely short and obstructed by tall trees or hills. Wheel skis and amphibious floats combine wheels with skis or floats, allowing
950-624: Is critical, because many small, isolated communities rely on STOL aircraft as their only transportation link to the outside world for passengers or cargo; examples include many communities in the Canadian north and Alaska . Most STOL aircraft can land either on- or off-airport. Typical off-airport landing areas include snow or ice (using skis), fields or gravel riverbanks (often using special fat, low-pressure tundra tires ), and water (using floats ): these areas are often extremely short and obstructed by tall trees or hills. Wheel skis and amphibious floats combine wheels with skis or floats, allowing
1000-436: Is longer. Of equal importance to short ground run is the ability to clear obstacles, such as hills, on both take off and landing. For takeoff, large power/weight ratios and low drag result in a high rate of climb required to clear obstacles. For landing, high drag allows the aeroplane to descend steeply to the runway without building excess speed resulting in a longer ground run. Drag is increased by use of flaps (devices on
1050-436: Is longer. Of equal importance to short ground run is the ability to clear obstacles, such as hills, on both take off and landing. For takeoff, large power/weight ratios and low drag result in a high rate of climb required to clear obstacles. For landing, high drag allows the aeroplane to descend steeply to the runway without building excess speed resulting in a longer ground run. Drag is increased by use of flaps (devices on
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#17327917247601100-399: Is of a rugged and low-maintenance construction; featuring high levels of accessibility, interchangeability, and favourable manning levels. The wings, fuselage, and empennage are manufactured using conventional semi-monocoque construction techniques, the primary structure being composed of aluminium; the central structure retains critical strength despite the cutout areas for the sliding doors of
1150-542: The Austrian Air Force has operated a fleet of 12 PC-6 Porters as the mainstay of their fixed-wing transport fleet; the type has been used in various support roles, including transport, search and rescue, firefighting, observation, target-towing and paradropping. According to Flying magazine, around 40 per cent of all PC-6s in use in Europe during the early 1990s were being used by skydivers . In 1996, during
1200-550: The First Congo War , Zaire 's president Mobutu Sese Seko hired Western European mercenaries (mostly French and Belgian) in an attempt to stop a Rwandan-led offensive. This contingent (part of the White Legion ) was supported by a BAE Andover and a Pilatus PC-6B Turbo Porter transports and four Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters. The Porter was lost after colliding with a 3 metres (10 ft) tall anthill which damaged
1250-626: The United States that were used for scheduled passenger airline operations but are now no longer in existence. Cruise -efficient short takeoff and landing (CESTOL), is an aircraft with both very short runway requirements and high cruise speeds (greater than Mach 0.8). Many different definitions of STOL have been used by different authorities and nations at various times and for a myriad of regulatory and military purposes. Some accepted definitions of STOL include: short takeoff and landing: ( DOD / NATO ) The ability of an aircraft to clear
1300-564: The United States that were used for scheduled passenger airline operations but are now no longer in existence. Cruise -efficient short takeoff and landing (CESTOL), is an aircraft with both very short runway requirements and high cruise speeds (greater than Mach 0.8). Many different definitions of STOL have been used by different authorities and nations at various times and for a myriad of regulatory and military purposes. Some accepted definitions of STOL include: short takeoff and landing: ( DOD / NATO ) The ability of an aircraft to clear
1350-539: The Vietnam War . It received the designation AU-23A Peacemaker for service with the U.S. Air Force. The Peacemaker was fitted with a side-firing 20mm XM-197 Gatling cannon, four wing pylons and a centre fuselage station for external ordnance. However, the AU-23A proved to be troublesome in service. All of them were returned to the continental U.S. and placed into storage after only a single year of operation. In 1979,
1400-670: The de Havilland Canada Dash-7 , are designed for use on prepared airstrips; likewise, many STOL aircraft are taildraggers , though there are exceptions like the PAC P-750 XSTOL , the Quest Kodiak , the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and the Peterson 260SE . Autogyros also have STOL capability, needing a short ground roll to get airborne, but capable of a near-zero ground roll when landing. Runway length requirement
1450-439: The de Havilland Canada Dash-7 , are designed for use on prepared airstrips; likewise, many STOL aircraft are taildraggers , though there are exceptions like the PAC P-750 XSTOL , the Quest Kodiak , the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and the Peterson 260SE . Autogyros also have STOL capability, needing a short ground roll to get airborne, but capable of a near-zero ground roll when landing. Runway length requirement
1500-587: The Chinese market; the type has often been used to replace the Antonov An-2 , being reportedly cheaper to operate. The Porter was also manufactured under license by Fairchild Hiller in the United States. Roughly 100 of these licence-produced aircraft would be completed, being mainly purchased by civil operators within the US. A number of Fairchild Hiller-built PC-6s were also procured for military operations during
1550-489: The PC-6 to other countries; in 1993, Czech Republic –based Letov Kbely began manufacturing activity upon the type. Its unit cost in 2010 was $ 1,900,000. In 2013, Pilatus formed a joint venture with Beijing Tian Xing Jian Yu Science Co., Ltd. to locally manufacture the PC-6 and the newer Pilatus PC-12 in Chongqing , China; initially this facility performed subassembly work on the fuselage, and later other elements such as
Pilatus PC-6 Porter - Misplaced Pages Continue
1600-491: The PC-6 towards helicopter operators at times, feeling the type to be complementary to their typical mode of operation. According to Pilatus, the PC-6 can provide very similar surveillance capabilities to a rotorcraft at a significantly lower cost to operate and procure. During its early service, the PC-6 Porter was noted for its high level of comfort and usability against competing aircraft. The type has also proven to have
1650-631: The PC-6 were equipped with a full instrument panel as standard, and were reportedly easy for unfamiliar pilots to intuit. Later-manufactured PC-6s are equipped with a Garmin G950 glass cockpit in place of analog instrumentation; the majority of earlier-produced PC-6s can also be retrofitted with a glass cockpit. In addition to its flight functionality, the G950 system acts as a remote maintenance unit and electronic flight bag all in one. Two large 10.4-inch liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) are present, functioning as
1700-863: The PC-6 were equipped with the Astazou II powerplant, however complaints on the reliability of this engine led to another early turboprop powerplant becoming available for the PC-6. This was the Garrett Air Research TPE 331 . Some operators such as Air America chose to retrofit their Astazou II-powered PC-6s with the TPE 331 engine. In May 1966, the first PC-6 to be equipped with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine performed its maiden flight. To offset rising labour and manufacturing costs in Switzerland, Pilatus distributed manufacturing work on
1750-1002: The Primary Flight Display for all key flight information and the Multi-function Display for system/mission management. Fully independent secondary flight instrumentation is also provided to provide backup altitude, attitude, and airspeed information in the event of complete electrical failure. The cockpit has been designed for single pilot operations; additional flight controls for a co-pilot can be optionally fitted. Other optional features include an autopilot (capable of operating within all phases of flight), traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), weather radar , satellite phone , LIDAR , forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and lightning detector ; in addition, onboard electrical and avionics equipment are readily modifiable to conform with customer requirements. The airframe
1800-587: The aircraft meets any accepted definition. STOL A short takeoff and landing ( STOL ) aircraft is a conventional fixed-wing aircraft that has short runway requirements for takeoff and landing . Many STOL-designed aircraft also feature various arrangements for use on airstrips with harsh conditions (such as high altitude or ice). STOL aircraft, including those used in scheduled passenger airline operations, have also been operated from STOLport airfields which feature short runways. Many fixed-wing STOL aircraft are bush planes , though some, like
1850-471: The choice of landing on snow/water or a prepared runway. A number of aircraft modification companies offer STOL kits for improving short-field performance. A STOLport is an airport designed with STOL operations in mind, normally having a short single runway. STOLports are not common but can be found, for example, at London City Airport in London , United Kingdom . There were also several STOLports in
1900-419: The choice of landing on snow/water or a prepared runway. A number of aircraft modification companies offer STOL kits for improving short-field performance. A STOLport is an airport designed with STOL operations in mind, normally having a short single runway. STOLports are not common but can be found, for example, at London City Airport in London , United Kingdom . There were also several STOLports in
1950-448: The engine's automatic handling functions. These benefits came at the expense of the greater initial purchase cost and higher fuel consumption . Both the piston and turbine-engine versions of the PC-6 became quickly known for their Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capabilities, requiring only a very short takeoff run before being ready for rotation prior to taking off. Its unit cost in 1962 was $ 55,000 The initial turbine-powered models of
2000-493: The first prototype, powered by a 254 kW (340 shp ) piston engine , made its maiden flight. In early May 1961, the first Turbo Porter , powered by a Turbomeca Astazou II turboprop engine, performed its initial flight. In comparison to its earlier piston engine-powered incarnation, the Astazou II-equipped Turbo Porter had an increased gross capacity and top speed, as well as benefitting from
2050-472: The last ten years, Pilatus will close the orderbook from summer 2018 and will roll off the last one in early 2019 while parts production will continue for at least 20 years. Due to pandemic delays, the last PC-6 Porter was instead delivered in December 2022 after 604 produced in 63 years. The Pilatus PC-6 Porter is a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) utility aircraft . The majority of aircraft are powered by
Pilatus PC-6 Porter - Misplaced Pages Continue
2100-453: The main cabin, accordingly reducing payload capacity, to increase the aircraft's flight endurance. In addition to the large sliding doors at either side of the main cabin, separate hinged doors are present on either side of the cockpit; an optional pilot-controlled trapdoor , to accommodate supply drops or surveillance payloads, may also be installed in the center of the cabin floor without any design changes required. Additional equipment include
2150-655: The main cabin. Corrosion resistance is achieved via a combination of plating and a polyurethane -based enamel paint . The simple nature of the structure allows for ease of repair in the field. Features such as low-pressure tyres, twin-caliper disc brakes , and a highly energy-absorbent undercarriage enable the aircraft to be capable of operating from rough or otherwise challenging terrain. For role flexibility, individual aircraft can be easily converted between various mission types, such as transport, paradrop , aerial photography , surveillance , air medical services and search and rescue duties. A maximum of ten passengers, or
2200-452: The plane landing gear, causing it to crash-land just a few days after arriving in Zaire. Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1993–1994, Pilatus Aircraft, Flying Magazine General characteristics Performance Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era STOL Many fixed-wing STOL aircraft are bush planes , though some, like
2250-462: The same size. Derived from short takeoff and landing aircraft. short takeoff and landing aircraft (STOL), heavier-than-air craft, capable of rising from and descending to the ground with only a short length of runway, but incapable of doing so vertically. The precise definition of an STOL aircraft has not been universally agreed upon. However, it has been tentatively defined as an aircraft that upon taking off needs only 1,000 ft (305 m) of runway to clear
2300-462: The same size. Derived from short takeoff and landing aircraft. short takeoff and landing aircraft (STOL), heavier-than-air craft, capable of rising from and descending to the ground with only a short length of runway, but incapable of doing so vertically. The precise definition of an STOL aircraft has not been universally agreed upon. However, it has been tentatively defined as an aircraft that upon taking off needs only 1,000 ft (305 m) of runway to clear
2350-406: The undercarriage employed provides for high wing and propeller clearances, making the PC-6 less susceptible to damage than conventional nosewheel-type undercarriages. For further landing versatility, various types of landing gear may be optionally installed allowing it to operate from different types of terrain; options include floats for water landings and skis for landing on snow. Early models of
2400-467: The wings and moving surfaces, which were transported to Pilatus' final assembly facility in Stans , Switzerland. Global production of the PC-6 will eventually be transferred to the Chongqing facility. On 11 December 2014, the first Chinese-assembled PC-6 fuselage was completed. In 2014, the majority of PC-6s delivered that year were to Chinese customers. By April 2016, around 20 PC-6s were in operation in
2450-433: The wings) and by a forward slip (causing the aeroplane to fly somewhat sideways through the air to increase drag). Normally, a STOL aircraft will have a large wing for its weight. These wings often use aerodynamic devices like flaps, slots , slats , and vortex generators . Typically, designing an aircraft for excellent STOL performance reduces maximum speed, but does not reduce payload lifting ability. The payload
2500-433: The wings) and by a forward slip (causing the aeroplane to fly somewhat sideways through the air to increase drag). Normally, a STOL aircraft will have a large wing for its weight. These wings often use aerodynamic devices like flaps, slots , slats , and vortex generators . Typically, designing an aircraft for excellent STOL performance reduces maximum speed, but does not reduce payload lifting ability. The payload
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