Windecker YE-5A
Windecker Industries · United States · first flew 1973 · light aircraft
The Windecker YE-5A was an experimental aircraft evaluated by the U.S. Air Force, based on the commercial single-engine, low-wing Windecker Eagle.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.7 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Low-wing single-engined monoplane of all-composite construction
- Based on the commercial Windecker Eagle
- Powered by a 290 hp Lycoming IO-540
It is an all-composite low-wing single-engined monoplane derived from the Windecker Eagle.
Specifications
- The Windecker YE-5A has a length of 8.7 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.8 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 338 km/h (210 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was delivered in 1973 and used in tests relating to the radar detectability of composite aircraft.
Variants
Only one YE-5A, serial number 73-1653, was built.
Where you'll see it
The composite airframe was shown to be difficult to detect on radar, although the metal engine could be seen. The aircraft was destroyed in a crash during a classified project in 1985.
Related aircraft
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