PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader
The PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader (Polish: "Dromedary") is a single engine agricultural aircraft that is manufactured by PZL in Poland. The airplane is used mainly as a cropduster or firefighting machine.
Development
PZL-Mielec, then known as "WSK-Mielec", began to design the Dromader in the mid 1970s, with help of United States airplane manufacturer Rockwell International. PZL Swidnik asked for Rockwell's help because of the political situation at the time: operating in an Eastern Bloc country, PZL wanted the airplane to sell well worldwide, and the company realized that FAA certification would be important in reaching that goal. Rockwell on the other hand wanted to fit Polish high-power radial engines into its agricultural planes. This co-operation meant that the Dromader shares outer wing panels and part of hull with the Rockwell Thrush Commander. The first prototype of the airplane flew on August 27 1976. In September 1978, the airplane was given certification to fly in Poland. Certifications from many countries around the world followed soon. Many airplanes of the M-18 type and its variations can still be seen around the world flying as cropdusters. They are a very common sight, for example, when driving by the Sonora Desert, as cropdusting and firefighting airplanes are necessary in middle and south Arizona as well as in northern Mexico. Most Dromaders are easy to distinguish because of their yellow color. Over 700 had been built by 2002. Currently (2004) models M-18B and M-18BS are offered by PZL-Mielec.
Variants M-18 - original one-seat production version, now available for special orders only. - M-18A - two seater available from 1984 onwards. Allows a mechanic or chemical loader to be carried as a passenger to remote fields.
- * M-18AS - two-cockpit trainer version
- M-18B - refined version of M-18A with increased capacity, flown in 1993.
- M-18BS - two-cockpit trainer.
- M-18C - version with more powerful 895 kW (1,200 hp) Kalisz K-9 engine. Flown in 1995 but not in production.
- M-18/T45 Turbine Dromader - turboprop variant by US manufacturer Melex (part-owned by PZL Mielec). Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 engine. First flew in 1985 and was given FAA certification in April 1986.
- M-21 Dromader Mini - smaller variant (1100 kg of chemicals), flown in 1982, not produced.
- M-24 Dromader Super - bigger variant (2000 kg of chemicals), flown in 1987, not produced.
- M-25 Dromader Mikro - smaller variant (500 kg of chemicals), sketch only.
Specifications (M-18B Dromader)General Characteristics - Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: one passenger, and up to 2,200 l (581 US gallons) or 1,900 kg (4,180 lb) of chemicals
- Length: 9.47 m (31 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 17.70 m (58 ft 1 in)
- Height: 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 40 m² (430 ft²)
- Empty: 2,710 kg (5,962 lb)
- Loaded: kg ( kg)
- Maximum takeoff: 5,300 kg (11,160 lb)
- Powerplant: 1x Kalisz ASz-621R radial, 745 kW (1,000 hp)
Performance - Maximum speed: 225 km/h (141 mph)
- Range: 1,000 km (625 miles)
- Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,120 ft)
- Rate of climb: 390 m/min (1,279 ft/min)
- Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
- Power/Mass: kW/kg ( hp/lb)
Related content
Related development:
Rockwell Thrush Commander
Comparable aircraft: Designation sequence:
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