Fike Model D

The Fike Model D was a light aircraft built in the United States in the early 1950s. Designed by airline pilot William Fike,[1] it was a conventional high-wing strut-braced monoplane with tailskid undercarriage and seating for one or two people in an enclosed cabin. In appearance, the aircraft strongly resembled a Piper Cub, with only the tail surfaces sourced from one.[2] An unusual feature was that the flight controls were mounted to the ceiling of the cabin, rather than the floor.[3] This facilitated the folding or removal of the seat or seats to enable the aircraft's use as a sleeping space when camping with it. Plans were marketed for homebuilding.

Model D
Role Recreational aircraft
Manufacturer Homebuilt
Designer William Fike
First flight 1951

Specifications

Data from [4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
  • Wingspan: 29 ft 1 in (8.86 m)
  • Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
  • Wing area: 132 sq ft (12.3 m2)
  • Airfoil: NACA 4409
  • Empty weight: 611 lb (277 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,040 lb (472 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,070 lb (485 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 12 US gal (10.0 imp gal; 45 L)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Continental A65-8 four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled piston engine, 65 hp (48 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Sensenich 72-C-44 fixed-pitch wooden propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 107 mph (172 km/h, 93 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 85–90 mph (137–145 km/h, 74–78 kn)
  • Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn)
  • Range: 270 mi (430 km, 230 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m) (at least)
  • Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)
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References
  1. Air Trails: 76. Winter 1971. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. "Homebuilding in Alaska". Sport Aviation: 36. June 1967.
  3. PRACTICAL LIGHTPLANE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE AMATEUR (3rd edition, 1978).
  4. Taylor 1961, p. 252.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1961). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 392.
  • aerofiles.com
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