Helio Courier
Helio Aircraft Company · United States · first flew 1949 · light aircraft
The Helio Courier is a single-engine high-wing STOL aircraft renowned for its exceptionally short take-off and landing performance, achieved through full-span leading-edge slats and large slotted flaps. It became a workhorse of bush and missionary aviation.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.45 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Exceptional STOL performance with full-span leading-edge slats
- High-wing single-engine with large slotted flaps
- Used extensively in missionary and bush flying
The prominent full-span leading-edge slats, high wing braced with struts, and squared-off wingtips are distinctive STOL features. Ground clearance on the wide-track undercarriage is generous to handle rough strips.
Specifications
- The Helio Courier has a length of 9.45 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.89 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 264 km/h (164 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + up to 5 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from research by Professors Otto Koppen and Lynn Bollinger at MIT, the Courier was designed from the outset for extreme STOL performance. The prototype flew in 1949 and the H-391 entered production in 1953. The US military used the U-10 Courier in Vietnam for psychological operations and special forces support. Mission Aviation Fellowship and Wycliffe Bible Translators operated Couriers globally.
Variants
H-391, H-395, H-250, H-295, H-700 Courier series with varying engines from 260 to 350 hp. The military U-10A/B were lightly modified civil aircraft.
Where you'll see it
Widespread use in Africa, Latin America, Papua New Guinea, and Southeast Asia for missionary, medical, and utility bush flying; US special forces used it in Vietnam.
Related aircraft
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