General Aviation XFA
General Aviation Company · United States · first flew 1932 · fighter
The General Aviation XFA was an American biplane fighter built for the United States Navy.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | All-metal fuselage with panels riveted on the inside, leaving a smooth surface |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-bay biplane with a gull-type upper wing
- All-metal fuselage with panels riveted on the inside, leaving a smooth surface
- Fabric-covered upper wing
The gull-type upper wing on a small all-metal biplane identifies it.
Specifications
- The General Aviation XFA has a length of 6.75 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.77 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 274 km/h (170 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was built to Navy Specification No. 96 for a carrier-based light fighter, which was a cover for the Navy's wish for an airship fighter. The prototype was ordered in 1930 and delivered for evaluation in 1932.
Variants
There were no variants: only one was built.
Where you'll see it
It showed longitudinal instability and over-sensitive controls. Changes to the tail made the problems worse, and testing was abandoned after it was classed as unsafe.
Related aircraft
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