Aérospatiale N 262

The Aérospatiale N 262 is a French twin-turboprop high-wing airliner built first by Nord Aviation (merged into Aérospatiale in 1970). The aircraft was also known as the Nord 262.

N 262 / Frégate
An Aerospatiale N-262D-51
Role Turboprop airliner
National origin France
Manufacturer Aérospatiale
First flight MH.250: 20 May 1959
N 262: 24 December 1962
Introduction 1964
Primary users French Air Force
French Navy
Allegheny Airlines
Produced 1962–1976
Number built 110

Design and development

Originally designed to replace the Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain, the prototype utility transport aircraft was designed by Max Holste and designated the Max Holste MH.250 Super Broussard it first flew on 20 May 1959. The initial design had the aircraft rather square in shape, and fitted Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engines to the aircraft. The second prototype, known as the MH.260, was equipped with 980 hp Turbomeca Bastan turboprop engines and eventually took its flight just over a year later on 29 July 1960.

The Prototype Nord 262 at the 1963 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport

Eventually, wholly state-owned Nord Aviation (later renamed Aérospatiale) took over the further development of the aircraft. The new changes that Nord brought to the aircraft were a rounded, pressurized cabin and the new name Nord 262. The new cabin design enabled the aircraft to carry between 24–26 passengers.

The first prototype since the changes by Nord took to the skies for the first time on 24 December 1962 and the aircraft was exhibited at the June 1963 Paris Air Show. The aircraft received its certificate on 16 July 1964 and entered its initial commercial service with Air Inter of France.

Four of the first aircraft 262A, 262B, 262C, and 262D were built, the first two fitted with Bastan IVC engines, while the C and D models were fitted with the higher-powered Bastan VIIC. Of these four aircraft, the latter two saw their first air time in July 1968. Most sales of the initial aircraft were not in the passenger field, but rather the military field. The 262D was the most popular and marketed as Frégate.[1]

As for the American designation, the "Mohawk 298" airplanes were modified Nord 262s and first flew on 7 January 1975, equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprops. Built in order to meet United States FAR 298 regulation, the modification of the aircraft was overseen by Mohawk Air Services and outsourced to Frakes Aviation. Allegheny Airlines was the initial operator of the aircraft.

Joel Krane, the chairman of the FOEB (Flight Operations Evaluation Board) determined that a common type rating could be issued for the Nord 262 and Mohawk 298. Appropriate differences training would be required for transitioning pilots.

Variants
Nord 262A of Dan-Air operating a scheduled service at Manchester Airport in 1971
N262E of the Aviation navale, at the Nîmes-Garons' French Navy base
Max Holste MH.250 Super Broussard
Prototype 17-seat transport first flown in 1959.
Max Holste MH.260 Super Broussard
23 passenger production variant of the MH.250, ten ordered but not completed before development handed over to Nord Aviation.
N 262
Prototypes and initial production version
N 262A
Early standard production version (preceded by N 262B). Powered by Turbomeca Bastan VIC engines. Certified 15 March 1965 with first delivery to Lake Central Airlines on 17 August 1965.[2]
N 262B
Initial production version for Air Inter, powered by two Bastan VIC turboprops. Four built, with first example flown 8 June 1964, certification 16 July 1964 and delivery 24 July 1964.[2]
N 262C Frégate
Bastan VIIC engines and greater wingspan
N 262D Frégate
French Air Force version of N-262C
N 262E
A maritime patrol and training version used by the Aviation navale (French Navy).
Mohawk 298
Nine aircraft updated by Frakes Aviation for Allegheny Airlines between 1975 and 1978. Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 engines driving five-bladed propellers.[3][4]

Operators
A Nord 262 spotted in service in Guatemala, November 2004.

As of July 2011 a total of three Nord 262 aircraft remain in airline service with the following airlines:[5]

  • Equatorial International Airlines (1),
  • International Trans Air Business (1)
  • RACSA (1).

Former operators
Nord 262 of Tempelhof Airways, Airport Tempelhof, 1988
Queensland Pacific Nord Aviation Mohawk at Queensland Air Museum

Military operators
 Angola
 Burkina Faso
 Republic of the Congo
  • Congolese Air Force
 France
 Gabon

Specifications (Nord 262A)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66[8]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 29 passengers
  • Length: 19.28 m (63 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 21.90 m (71 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 6.21 m (20 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 55.0 m2 (592 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 8.72:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 23016 at root, NACA 23012 (mod.) at tip
  • Empty weight: 6,654 kg (14,670 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 10,300 kg (22,708 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 2,000 L (530 US gal; 440 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Bastan VIC turboprops, 794 kW (1,065 shp) each (eshp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Ratier-Figae FH.146 variable-pitch propellers, 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 385 km/h (239 mph, 208 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn) (econ cruise)
  • Stall speed: 128 km/h (80 mph, 69 kn) (wheels and flaps down)
  • Never exceed speed: 498 km/h (309 mph, 269 kn)
  • Range: 1,110 km (690 mi, 600 nmi) (max fuel, 2,010 kg (4,430 lb) payload)
  • Service ceiling: 7,300 m (24,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 6.4 m/s (1,250 ft/min)
  • Takeoff distance from 10.5 m (35 ft): 1,200 m (4,000 ft)
  • Landing distance from 15 m (50 ft): 1,100 m (3,500 ft)
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See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References
Notes
  1. Taylor 1971, p. 39.
  2. Taylor 1976, p. 36.
  3. Taylor 1976, p. 338.
  4. "The Aerospatiale N-262 Fregate & Mohawk 298". Airliners.net. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  5. "World Airliner Census 2011" (pdf). Flightglobal Insight, p. 6. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  6. "Weather & Aviation Page - Delta Air Transport". www.skystef.be.
  7. "World Airliner Census 2009" (pdf). Flight International, 18–24 August 2009, p. 37.
  8. Taylor 1965, p. 49.
Bibliography
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–1966. London:Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–1972. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1971.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–1977. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. ISBN 0-354-00538-3.
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