CallAir A-9

The IMCO CallAir A-9 is a small agricultural aircraft that first flew in 1962, a development of the company's previous successful crop-dusters. It is typical of aircraft of its type - a single-seat aircraft with a low wing incorporating spraying gear.

A-9
CallAir A-9B glider tug at Driggs Idaho in June 1994
Role Agricultural aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Intermountain Manufacturing Company, Aero Commander
First flight 1963[1]
Developed from CallAir Model A
For the USAF unmanned Quail drone aircraft, see ADM-20 Quail.

Design and development

Following the purchase of Call Aircraft Company, who had built the CallAir Model A series of light utility and agricultural aircraft, by Intermountain Manufacturing Company (IMCO) in 1962, IMCO produced a new agricultural derivative of the Callair, the CallAir A-9. Production of the new aircraft started in 1963.[1]

Like the earlier CallAir aircraft, the A-9 is a single-engined monoplane with a braced low wing. It is of mixed construction, with a fabric-covered steel-tube fuselage structure and a wood-and-fabric wing. The pilot sits behind the chemical hopper, and the cockpit is enclosed by two removable, bottom-hinged doors that form the left and right side windows. The aircraft is powered by a single Lycoming O-540 flat-six piston engine.[1][2] Later, some A-9s have been adapted for glider towing operations.

IMCO was in turn purchased by Rockwell International in 1966, which built the plane under its Aero Commander division before shifting production to Mexico in 1971, under a joint venture there called AAMSA. Production continued until 1984.

Variants
A-9
Original variant, powered by a 235 hp (175 kW) Lycoming O-540-B2B5. Built by IMCO and Aero Commander (as the Sparrow Commander)
B-1
Enlarged A-9 with a 400 hp (298 kW) Lycoming IO-720-A1A engine and 42 ft 8 in (13.00 m) wingspan. First flight January 15, 1966.[3] Built by IMCO and Aero Commander (as the Snipe Commander).
A-9 Super
Version with 290 hp (216 kW) Lycoming IO-540. Built by Aero Commander (as the Quail Commander) and by AAMSA (as the A9B-M Quail)

Specifications (AAMSA A9B-M Quail)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83 [4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 210 US gal (170 imp gal; 790 l) or 1,600 lb (730 kg) of chemicals
  • Length: 24 ft 0 in (7.32 m)
  • Wingspan: 34 ft 9 in (10.59 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m)
  • Wing area: 181.9 sq ft (16.90 m2)
  • Airfoil: Clark Y[5]
  • Empty weight: 1,800 lb (816 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,800 lb (1,724 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-540-K1A-5 6-cylinder air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engine, 300 hp (220 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 104 kn (120 mph, 193 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 87 kn (100 mph, 161 km/h)
  • Range: 300 nmi (350 mi, 560 km)
  • Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,900 m)
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See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References
Notes
  1. Taylor 1965, pp. 246–247.
  2. "A-9 Owners Manual: Serials 1048, 1111, 1117 & Up" Archived 2014-08-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  3. Taylor 1966, pp. 261–262.
  4. Taylor 1982, pp. 155–156.
  5. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
Bibliography
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966-67. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1966.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.

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