The Howard DGA-18 was an American two-seat basic training aircraft designed and built by the Howard Aircraft Corporation for the United States Civil Pilot Training Program.[1]

Howard DGA-18
1941 Howard DGA-18K at the Arkansas Air & Military Museum in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Role Civil monoplane trainer
National origin United States
Manufacturer Howard Aircraft Corporation
First flight 1941
Primary user US Civil Pilot Training Program
Number built ~60

Design

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The United States' Civilian Pilot Training Program resulted in high demand for both primary and advanced training aircraft, and in an attempt to take advantage of this demand, the DGA-18 was designed, with the first example flying in October 1940.[2][3] The DGA-18 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with two tandem open cockpits and a fixed conventional landing gear. The aircraft was built in three variants with different engines fitted.[1]

Variants

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DGA-18 (or DGA-125)
Variant powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Warner Scarab 50 radial engine.[3]
DGA-18K (or DGA-160)
Variant powered by a 160 hp (119 kW) Kinner R-5 radial engine.[3]
DGA-18W (or DGA-145)
Variant powered by a 145 hp (108 kW) Warner Super Scarab radial engine.[3]

Specifications (DGA-18)

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Data from Some Damn Good Airplanes[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
  • Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
  • Wing area: 179.5 sq ft (16.68 m2)
  • Airfoil: Munk M-6[2]
  • Empty weight: 1,350 lb (612 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,950 lb (885 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 31 US Gal (117 L)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Warner Scarab 50 7-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 125 hp (93 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 118 mph (190 km/h, 103 kn) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 108 mph (174 km/h, 94 kn)
  • Stall speed: 50 mph (80 km/h, 43 kn) [2]
  • Range: 380 mi (610 km, 330 nmi)
  • Endurance: 3.5 hr[4]
  • Service ceiling: 13,500 ft (4,100 m)
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s) [4]

References

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Notes
  1. ^ a b Orbis 1985, p. 2175
  2. ^ a b c Juptner 1980, p. 143
  3. ^ a b c d e Bushell 1986, p. 44.
  4. ^ a b Flight 6 February 1941, p. 120.
Bibliography
  • Bushell, Sue J (December 1986 – April 1987). "Some Damn Good Airplanes". Air Enthusiast. No. Thirty–two. pp. 32–44. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Juptner, Joseph P. (1980). U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 8 (ATC 701 – ATC 800). Fallbrook, California, US: Aero Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0-8168-9178-8.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
  • "Two American Trainers:The Ryan ST-3 and Howard DGA-125 Make Their Appearance". Flight. No. 6 February 1941. pp. 118–120.