| General Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | A-23 "Coach" | A-23M "Baby Dragon" |
| Function | General | |
| Year | 1992 | 1999 |
| Crew | 1+1 | |
| Powerplant (2) | ||
| Type | RMZ-640 "Bouran" replaced by Rotax 582 | Rotax 952 |
| Power (each) | 64hp | 100hp |
| Size | ||
| Length | ?m | 7.5m |
| Height | ?m | 2.4m |
| Wingspan | ?m | 9.8m |
| Wing area | ?m2 | ?m2 |
| Weights and loads | ||
| Empty | kg | 300kg |
| Maximum Takeoff | kg | 600kg |
| Wing Load (kg/m2) | ? | ? |
| Power load (kg/hp) | ? | 6 |
| Speed | ||
| Maximum sustained | ?km/h | 180km/h |
| Cruise | ?km/h | 130 to 150km/h |
| Roll | ||
| Takeoff | ?m | ?m |
| Landing | ?m | ?m |
| Range | ||
| Maximum | ?km | 620 (1000) km |
| Ceiling | ||
| Ceiling | ?m | ?m |
| Climb | ||
| 1000m | ?min | ?min |
| Payload | ||
| Fuel | ?l | 75 (120)l |
| Total | ?kg | 250kg |
| Other | ||
| Price (Rotax-582) | - | 25,000US$ |
| Price (Rotax-912) | - | 35,000US$ |
| Unassembled kit | - | 12,700US$ |
A-23 "Coach" and A-23M "Baby Dragon"
by Aeroprakt-Samara
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Photo by
The "Coach"/"baby Dragon" is a light light multi-purpose aircraft. It can be flown from land (wheels), snow (skis) or water (floats).Prototype A-23 (1992) with two RMZ-640 engines (replaced later by single 64hp Rotax-582) had narrow angular fuselage. It served for four years in the pilot's club.
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Photo from the article Recalling August (1999)
For series production more powerful Rotax-912 engine was chosen (while old engine is still available in the economy package). Cockpit width was increased to 760mm providing sufficient comfort for pilot. Both composite fuselage and wing are now made in matrixes. Slab-type fiberglass tailplane unit was revised - raised to the top of the tailfin. This places tailplane into propeller airflow and improves efficiency. This is specially important for takeoff from unpaved airfields.
A-23M wings carry single "flaperon" each - there is no separation between aileron and landing flap. Expected simplification of design did not deliver - aerodynamic compensation required to add airdynamic large compensators. It is planned to install separated flaps and ailerons in future revisions of the A-23 line.
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Photos from the article Recalling August (1999) |
First flight took place on August 5, 1999. A-23M prototype scored approximately 120 hours during Fall 1999. The only problem was insufficient compensation of large flaperons. Takeoff and landing were easy. Very good pilot's sight helps during landing approach. it is much better than on aircraft with engine in front of cockpit.
As for many other Russian light aircraft, practical applications are considered. A-23M may be built (converted?) as a crop duster. Wheels, skis and floats are included in standard package.
Production was launched in winter 2000. First batch - 3 machines with different engines. Available as a kit.
On June 24, 2000 director of Aeroprakt-Samara I.A.Vakhrushev and co-pilot were killed in crash of the series A-23M. This happened on landing approach at Smyshliaevka airfield near Samara. Probable cause - tailplane flatter.
| Predecessors | Modifications | |
|---|---|---|
 Oktyabryonok (Mikoyan) |
"Don Quixote" by Yanovski | ? |
| References | |
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| Links | |
General
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Images
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