Aérospatiale N 262
Aérospatiale N 262
| N 262 / Frégate | |
|---|---|
| 262A of the Centre d'Essais en Vol in 1981 | |
| Role | Turboprop airliner |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale |
| First flight | MH.250: 20 May 1959 N 262: 24 December 1962 |
| Introduction | 1964 |
| Primary users | French Air Force French Navy Allegheny Airlines |
| Produced | 1962–1976 |
| Number built | 110 |
The Aérospatiale N 262 is a French twin-turboprop high-wing airliner built first by Nord Aviation (merged into Aérospatiale in 1970). The aircraft was also known as the Nord 262.
| N 262 / Frégate | |
|---|---|
| 262A of the Centre d'Essais en Vol in 1981 | |
| Role | Turboprop airliner |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale |
| First flight | MH.250: 20 May 1959 N 262: 24 December 1962 |
| Introduction | 1964 |
| Primary users | French Air Force French Navy Allegheny Airlines |
| Produced | 1962–1976 |
| Number built | 110 |
Design and development
The Prototype Nord 262 at the 1963 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport
Originally designed to replace the Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain, the prototype utility transport aircraft was designed by Max Holste and designated the Max Holste MH.250 Super Broussard it first flew on 20 May 1959. The initial design had the aircraft rather square in shape, and fitted Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engines to the aircraft. The second prototype, known as the MH.260, was equipped with 980 hp Turbomeca Bastan turboprop engines and eventually took its flight just over a year later on 29 July 1960.
Eventually, wholly state-owned Nord Aviation (later renamed Aérospatiale) took over the further development of the aircraft. The new changes that Nord brought to the aircraft were a rounded, pressurized cabin and the new name Nord 262. The new cabin design enabled the aircraft to carry between 24–26 passengers.
The first prototype since the changes by Nord took to the skies for the first time on 24 December 1962 and the aircraft was exhibited at the June 1963 Paris Air Show. The aircraft received its certificate on 16 July 1964 and entered its initial commercial service with Air Inter of France.
Four of the first aircraft 262A, 262B, 262C, and 262D were built, the first two fitted with Bastan IVC engines, while the C and D models were fitted with the higher-powered Bastan VIIC. Of these four aircraft, the latter two saw their first air time in July 1968. Most sales of the initial aircraft were not in the passenger field, but rather the military field. The 262D was the most popular and marketed as Frégate.[1]
As for the American designation, the "Mohawk 298" airplanes were modified Nord 262s and first flew on 7 January 1975, equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprops. Built in order to meet United States FAR 298 regulation, the modification of the aircraft was overseen by Mohawk Air Services and outsourced to Frakes Aviation. Allegheny Airlines was the initial operator of the aircraft.
Joel Krane, the chairman of the FOEB (Flight Operations Evaluation Board) determined that a common type rating could be issued for the Nord 262 and Mohawk 298. Appropriate differences training would be required for transitioning pilots.
Variants
Nord 262A of Dan-Air operating a scheduled service at Manchester Airport in 1971
N262E of the Aviation navale, at the Nîmes-Garons' French Navy base
- Max Holste MH.250 Super BroussardPrototype 17-seat transport first flown in 1959.Max Holste MH.260 Super Broussard23 passenger production variant of the MH.250, ten ordered but not completed before development handed over to Nord Aviation.N 262Prototypes and initial production versionN 262AEarly standard production version (preceded by N 262B). Powered byTurbomeca BastanVIC engines. Certified 15 March 1965 with first delivery toLake Central Airlineson 17 August 1965.[2]N 262BInitial production version forAir Inter, powered by two Bastan VIC turboprops. Four built, with first example flown 8 June 1964, certification 16 July 1964 and delivery 24 July 1964.[2]N 262C FrégateBastan VIIC engines and greater wingspanN 262D FrégateFrench Air Force version of N-262CN 262EA maritime patrol and training version used by theAviation navale(French Navy).Mohawk 298Nine aircraft updated byFrakes AviationforAllegheny Airlinesbetween1975and1978. Powered byPratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 engines driving five-bladed propellers.[3][4]
Operators
A Nord 262 spotted in service in Guatemala, November 2004.
Equatorial International Airlines (1),
International Trans Air Business (1)
RACSA (1).
Former operators
Nord 262 of Tempelhof Airways, Airport Tempelhof, 1988
Queensland Pacific Nord Aviation Mohawk at Queensland Air Museum
Aerovias
Air Ceylon
Air Florida Commuter (operated by National Commuter Airlines)
Air Inter
Air Madagascar
Alisarda
Allegheny Airlines (Mohawk 298 conversion)
Altair Airlines
B.C. Air Lines (acquired by Pacific Western Airlines)
Cimber Air
Crown Airways
Dan-Air
Delta Air Transport [6]
Filipinas Orient Airways
Golden Gate Airlines (former Swift Aire aircraft)
IFG Interregional Fluggesellschaft
Indonesia Airlines
Japan Domestic
Lake Central Airlines
Linjeflyg
Malu Aviation
Mohawk Air Service
National Commuter Airlines (NATCOM) (operated both Nord 262 and Mohawk 298 aircraft in Air Florida Commuter feeder service)
Pacific Western Airlines (former B.C. Air Lines aircraft)
Pocono Airlines
Queensland Pacific Airlines
Rhein Air (Switzerland)
Scheduled Skyways (U.S. based commuter air carrier)
Swift Aire Lines (commuter air carrier based in San Luis Obispo, CA, USA)
Tempelhof Airways
Trans Service Airlift[7]
Wideroe
Military operators
National Air Force of Angola
Congolese Air Force
French Air Force
French Navy
Specifications (Nord 262A)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66[8]
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Capacity: 29 passengers
Length: 19.28 m (63 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 21.90 m (71 ft 10 in)
Height: 6.21 m (20 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 55.0 m2 (592 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 8.72:1
Airfoil: NACA 23016 at root, NACA 23012 (mod.) at tip
Empty weight: 6,654 kg (14,670 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 10,300 kg (22,708 lb)
Fuel capacity: 2,000 L (530 US gal; 440 imp gal)
Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Bastan VIC turboprops, 794 kW (1,065 shp) each (eshp)
Propellers: 3-bladed Ratier-Figae FH.146 variable-pitch propellers, 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in) diameter
Performance
Maximum speed: 385 km/h (239 mph, 208 kn)
Cruise speed: 360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn) (econ cruise)
Stall speed: 128 km/h (80 mph, 69 kn) (wheels and flaps down)
Never exceed speed: 498 km/h (309 mph, 269 kn)
Range: 1,110 km (690 mi, 600 nmi) (max fuel, 2,010 kg (4,430 lb) payload)
Service ceiling: 7,300 m (24,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 6.4 m/s (1,250 ft/min)
Takeoff distance from 10.5 m (35 ft): 1,200 m (4,000 ft)
Landing distance from 15 m (50 ft): 1,100 m (3,500 ft)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
ATR 42
British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 41
Fokker F27 Friendship
Let L-410 Turbolet
Related lists
List of civil aircraft