Lafay Rio de Janeiro
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| Rio de Janeiro | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Experimental aircraft |
| National origin | Brazil |
| Manufacturer | Lage & Irmãos |
| Designer | Louis Etienne Lafay |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | 18 May 1920 |
The Rio de Janeiro was a Brazilian single-engine, biplane utility aircraft.[1][2][3][4]
It was based on the Caudron G.3. Built almost entirely of wood and canvas, it had three seats.[1] It has a Gnome et Rhône engine, of the push–pull configuration, with a fixed pitch propeller made of wood.[1] The reinforced landing gear included four wheels and two fixed skids, with a rear skid. It was nicknamed Cochon (in English: Hog).[5]
Operational history
First flew daily, since the first flight, and was maintained without any changes, which proved its safety. Moreover, since its departure from the Lage & Irmãos workshops, it had already transported 200 passengers and made a Rio de Janeiro-São Paulo air bridge trip. Another important factor is that with two passengers on board, it reached an altitude of 2000 meters in 22 minutes.[6]
Specifications
Data from Pereira (1986)[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 3
- Length: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
- Upper wingspan: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 25 m2 (270 sq ft)
- Powerplant: 1 × Gnome Λ80 Lambda 7-cylinder rotary engine, 60 kW (80 hp)
- Propellers: 2 fixed-pitch propeller-bladed
Performance
- Service ceiling: 2,200 m (7,200 ft)