United Consultants Twin Bee

The United Consultants Twin Bee is an American twin-engined light amphibious aircraft of the 1960s.

UC-1 Twin Bee
UC-1 Twin Bee
Role Twin-engined amphibian
National origin United States
Manufacturer United Consultants Corporation
Designer Joseph W Gigante
First flight 1962
Introduction 1965
Status several in service in 2009
Number built 23
Developed from Republic Seabee

Development
United Consultants Twin Bee

The Republic Seabee was built between 1946 and 1948, with over 1000 aircraft being sold. The type was rather underpowered and many were later fitted with more powerful engines than the 215 hp (160 kW) Franklin 6A8 originally fitted.

In 1960, former Helio company engineer Joseph W. Gigante (1916-2012) designed a twin-engine conversion of the Sea Bee and founded United Consultants Corp in Norwood, Massachusetts, to undertake the manufacturing work on the UC-1 Twin Bee.[1]

The first aircraft flew in 1962 and the type certificate was awarded on 25 June 1965. 23 production examples were delivered between 1965 and 1987.

The UC-1 is a major conversion of the RC-3 Seabee airframe. The single pusher engine is deleted and this allows an additional fifth seat to be fitted beneath the old installation. The twin 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming engines, mounted in tractor configuration, are fitted in the wing, fairly close to the cabin. This required the rear cabin windows to be reduced in size, supplemented by a porthole-type window each side of the rear of the enlarged cabin.[2]

The rights to the UC-1 design were transferred to the STOL Aircraft Corporation. J.W. Gigante advertised the rights for sale during September 2006.[3]

Operational history

The considerable extra engine power of Twin Bee proved to be attractive to private owners, as the aircraft has STOL takeoff and landing ability. 15 of the 23 conversions were currently registered in the United States in April 2009. Other examples are active in Switzerland and the Philippines.[4]

Specifications
UC-1 Twin Bee

Data from Aerofiles

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: four passengers
  • Length: 31 ft 4 in (9.55 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft 3 in (13.18 m)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming IO-360-B1D , 180 hp (134 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 147 mph (238 km/h, 128 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 131 mph (210 km/h, 114 kn)
  • Stall speed: 38 mph (61 km/h, 33 kn)
  • Range: 900 mi (1,448 km, 780 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 19,000 ft (5,791 m)
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See also

Related development

References
Notes
  1. "Father of Twin Bee dies at 95". Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  2. Simpson, 2001, p. 250
  3. Saevdal, Steinar (September 2006). "UC-1 Twin Bee Amphibian Design Rights for Sale!". Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  4. Saevdal, Steinar (August 2007). "THE STOL UC-1 TWIN BEE AMPHIBIAN". Retrieved 2009-04-19.
Bibliography
  • Simpson, Rod (2005). The General Aviation Handbook. Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-222-5.
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