Ahrens AR 404
Ahrens Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1976 · transport aircraft
The Ahrens AR 404 was a prototype American civil transport aircraft first flown on 1 December 1976. It was a high-wing monoplane powered by four Allison 250 turboprop engines.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Fuselage of constant rectangular section along almost its whole length |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High-wing monoplane with four turboprops
- Fuselage of constant rectangular section along almost its whole length
- Main undercarriage retracting into sponsons on the fuselage sides
Look for a boxy-fuselage high-wing four-turboprop transport with sponsons on the fuselage sides and a rear loading ramp.
Specifications
- The Ahrens AR 404 has a length of 16.08 m (53 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.12 m (66 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 352 km/h (219 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
To ease loading and unloading of cargo the tail included a loading ramp. Ahrens secured a production deal with the government of Puerto Rico, which agreed to finance certification if production facilities were established there.
Variants
As a regional airliner it was designed to carry 30 passengers, or in its cargo configuration to take four standard D3 freight containers. Ahrens projected uses including troop transport, ambulance, naval communications and anti-submarine warfare.
Where you'll see it
The first production aircraft was built and flown in Puerto Rico on 26 October 1979, but no more were built after financing was withdrawn. Only two prototypes were completed, and the flying prototype ended its life as a snack bar.
Related aircraft
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