Beechcraft Lightning
Experimental Turboprop Aircraft
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Beechcraft Model 38P Lightning was an experimental turboprop aircraft built and tested by Beechcraft in the 1980s.
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| Lightning | |
|---|---|
| Beechcraft Lightning replica at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum | |
| General information | |
| Type | Civil utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft |
| Number built | 1[1] |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1982 |
| First flight | June 14, 1982 |
| Retired | 1984 |
| Developed from | Beechcraft Baron |
History
The Model 38P (Pressurized) (also known as the model PD.336) was created by installing a Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-9 engine in the nose of a Beechcraft Baron 58P fuselage, which was mated to a Beechcraft B36TC Bonanza wing in place of the Baron's wing with two engines.[2] This resulted in a low-wing aircraft with six seats including the pilot's. The aircraft flew for the first time on June 14, 1982.[2] After 133 flights over almost 18 months the aircraft was temporarily grounded so that the TPE331 could be removed and a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-40 engine fitted in its place.[2] The aircraft flew in this configuration for the first time on March 9, 1984 and the last flight was on August 8 the same year.[2] Beechcraft originally planned to put the Lightning into production but the economic downturn among general aviation manufacturers in the United States in the 1980s led to the project being shelved[3] shortly after the first flight with PT6A power.[2] Several Model 38Ps were pre sold to customers by the Beechcraft dealer network, but the purchase deposits collected were returned when the decision was made not to produce the aircraft.[citation needed]
Variants
- Model 38P
- One prototype modified from a Model 58P Baron with a Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-9. Plans to produce the 38P with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-40 were abandoned.[1]
- Model 38P-1
- To be powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-116. Not built.[1]
- Model 38P-2
- To be powered by a Garrett AiResearch TPE-331-9. Not built.[1]
Specifications (Model 38P, PT6A engine, performance estimated)
Data from Jane's 1983–84 Aviation Review[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 5 passengers
- Length: 29 ft 11 in (9.12 m)
- Wingspan: 37 ft 10 in (11.53 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-40 turboprop, 550–650 shp (410–480 kW)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 316 mph (509 km/h, 275 kn) (max cruise, at 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
- Range: 1,285 mi (2,068 km, 1,117 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
