Edgley Optica
Edgley Aircraft Limited · United Kingdom · first flew 1979 · light aircraft
The Edgley Optica is a British slow-flying observation aircraft of unmistakable appearance, featuring a large spherical glazed cabin pod at the nose, a ducted fan pusher propulsion unit immediately behind, and a twin-boom tail arrangement. It was designed to provide helicopter-like visibility at fixed-wing cost.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.15 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Distinctive spherical glazed observation pod at front with ducted pusher fan behind
- Twin-boom tail with high-mounted straight wing
- Designed for slow-speed aerial observation with panoramic 270-degree view
Utterly distinctive: the large spherical glazed pod, ducted fan behind the cabin, and twin-boom tail make the Optica unmistakable from any angle. Nothing else in civil aviation resembles it.
Specifications
- The Edgley Optica has a length of 8.15 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 213 km/h (132 mph).
- Typical crew: 2-3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by John Edgley and first flown in 1979, the Optica attracted considerable interest as a cost-effective alternative to helicopters for police, pipeline inspection, and survey work. Production was hampered by factory fires and a series of company failures, with manufacturing passing through several owners before limited numbers were completed.
Variants
The Optica OA7-300 was the main production variant. The FLS Optica was a refined version produced under later ownership.
Where you'll see it
Small numbers operated in the United Kingdom for police surveillance, aerial survey, and pipeline patrol; a few were exported. The type never achieved its commercial potential due to repeated corporate misfortune.
Related aircraft
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