21st Century Airships SPAS 13

The 21st Century Airships SPAS 13 is a Canadian semi-rigid helium airship demonstrator designed and built by 21st Century Airships of Newmarket, Ontario.

SPAST 13
Role Semi-rigid helium airship
National origin Canada
Manufacturer 21st Century Airships
First flight 13 May 1994

Design and development

The SPAS 13 was a development of the earlier SPAS 1 and was designed to demonstrate the advantages of a spherical airship.[1] The 43 ft (13.11 m) diameter spherical envelope is made of Spectra fabric with an inner helium containing envelope of Mylar film reinforced with Kevlar.[1] The two-seat cockpit is internal to the envelope with panoramic windows in the envelope to provide an external view.[1]

The SPAS 13 is powered by two 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 piston engines on external struts, four vanes behind each engine are used to provide control by deflecting the thrust.[1]

Specifications

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Diameter: 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m)
  • Height: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m) includes landing gear
  • Empty weight: 1,596 lb (724 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,403 lb (1,090 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Rotax 503 piston engine, 50 hp (37 kW) each
  • Propellers: 3-bladed, 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 30 mph (48 km/h, 26 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 19.0 mph (30.6 km/h, 16.5 kn)

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References

Notes
  1. Taylor 1996, p. 538

Bibliography
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory. London, England: Brassey's. ISBN 1 85753 198 1.


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