Pitcairn PA-1 Fleetwing
Pitcairn Aircraft Company · United States · first flew 1925 · light aircraft
The Pitcairn PA-1 Fleetwing was the first biplane designed by the Pitcairn Aircraft Company for air racing and commercial airmail service. It was powered by a Curtiss C-6 engine.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Squarish steel-tube fuselage covered in fabric |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane with three cockpits carrying four passengers
- Squarish steel-tube fuselage covered in fabric
- Slanted radiator on the front of the lower cowling
Its three cockpits could carry four paying sightseeing passengers. The squarish fuselage carries a slanted radiator on the lower cowling.
Specifications
- The Pitcairn PA-1 Fleetwing has a length of 7.9 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12 m (39 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It first flew in 1925. The fuselage used square and round steel tubing with fabric covering.
Variants
A second aircraft was built shortly after the prototype crashed.
Where you'll see it
The prototype crashed after a flight with the control cables rigged backwards. It was designed for air racing and for airmail work.
Related aircraft
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