|
DEVELOPMENT OF THE T-40 SERIES AIRPLANES
The T-40
prototype has gone through many modifications, from a single-place airplane to a
well equipped, comfortable, two-place, fast cross country airplane.
Modifications are always made with the goal of making the planes more efficient
and easier to fly. In one configuration the airplane had a T-tail, full-span
flaps, spoilers, leading edge slats, and "buggy whip" landing gear. Later a
canard was also installed. The canard version made only one hair raising flight
then it was converted back to the T-40A/B configuration. At one time the
airplane incorporated so many changes, the FAA required the airplane to carry a
new model designation,
T-77. Another modification was made requiring the designation,
T-77A, a wide single-place version with a T-40 style canopy and tricycle landing
gear. Cruise speed with a 150 hp Lycoming was 165 mph (145 knots).
For pictures of the various Models of the T-40/T-77 airplanes see Section T-40 Photos.
Model
T-100D, MARIAH
In 1982 Turner
Aircraft ventured into the ultralight aircraft arena with Model T-100 called
Mariah. Mariah was a light weight airplane designed to meet the needs of pilots
who want to fly, but had no FAA flight physical or who could not afford to fly
certificated airplanes. The T-100D was designed to meet the requirements of FAR
103, Ultralight Airplanes. The airplane had twin tails, pusher engine,
three-axis conventional flight controls, tricycle landing gear, steerable nose
wheel, and an enclosed cabin. Although the airplane met the design criteria
and was very stable, the drawings were taken off the market due to the liability
insurance problems.
Surprise, in 2007 a surge of
renewed enthusiasm came to life for the design spear headed by engineer who is
employed by Lockheed Martin, Marietta, Georgia. As a result Gene sold the
design and manufacturing rights to Kenneth Adams of Adams Aviation of Dallas.
Georgia.
DESIGN
INFORMATION
The Turner T-40s and T-40As are high performance low-wing monoplanes constructed
of Douglas fir and Mahogany plywood with fiberglass compound curved parts. All
designs feature all-flying horizontal tails, steel leaf spring landing gears
(either tricycle or conventional configuration), enclosed cabins, and various
four-cylinder engines. The T-40s can accommodate 75 to 125 hp engines and the
T-40A, can be built with 100 to 150 hp engines. All models have folding wings
and can be stored in a single-car garage. Construction plans for these aircraft are made available to individuals for
educational or recreational purposes only. The FAA must certify completed
aircraft in the "Experimental" category.
TURNER AIRPLANE DESIGN CRITERIA
FAA's FAR 23.337, Load Factors:
Models:
T-40,
T-40A,
T-40AS
+4.4 g
limit
+3.8g
limit
+3.8g limit,
+6.6g
ultimate
+5.7g
ultimate
+5.7g ultimate
-2.2g
limit
-2.0g
limit
-2.0g limit
-3.3g
ultimate
-3.0g ultimate,
-3.0g ultimate
FAR 23.561, Emergency Landing Conditions
All Models
Upward 3.0g
Forward 9.0g
Sideward 1.5g
Downward 3.0g
FAR 23.471, Ground Loads
The landing gears were designed using this FAA regulation as a guide. (The remainder
of FAR 23 was used where appropriate.)
Stress analyses and static load testing were used to substantiate the aircraft
structure
Note: T-40 Series Airplanes are not designed for aerobatics.
Specifications
FAA FAR
23.337, Limit Maneuvering Load Factor
X1.5 safety factor = Ultimate load:
Dimensions
Model T-40,
T-40A,
T-40AS
Wing span
22' 3"
25' 6" 26' 8"
Wing chord
3'
6"
3'
6"
3' 6"
Length 19' 9"
20' 6"
20'11"
Height (top of cabin)
6 '0"
6'
0"
6' 0"
Wings folded
7'10"
7'
10" 7' 10"
Cockpit
width 2'
0"
4' 0" 4' 0"
Areas
Wing
75
sq.ft.
90.0
sq.ft
96.2 sq.ft.
Flaps
9.9 sq.ft.
9.9
sq.ft.
9.9 sq.ft.
Vertical tail
area
9.6 sq.ft.
9.6
sq.ft.
9.6 sq.ft.
Horizontal tail
area
11.34 Sq.ft.
12.0 sq.ft.
12.0 sq.ft Weights
Gross 1140
lbs
1580
lbs
1650 lbs
Empty
(Prototypes)
850
lbs
1050
lbs
1100 lbs
Useful load
320
lbs.
530
lbs
550 lbs
Fuel 108 lbs (18 gal.)
144 lbs (24 gal.), 80 lbs (30 gal.)
Baggage
20
lbs
30
lbs 30 lbs
PERFORMANCE
Vmax – Max speed 170 mph
175 mph
180 mph
Vcr - Cruise speed
143 mph 147
mph 155
mph
Vs - Stall Clean 55 mph
56 mph 60 mph
Vso – Stall, Flaps 49 mph 50
mph
54 mph
Va – Maneuvering speed 120 mph 125
mph 125
mph
Vd – Red line 220 mph 220
mph 220
mph
Vgust 145 mph 140
mph 140
mph
Range – Max No wind 482 miles 625
miles 413
miles
Rate of Climb @ SL 1,000 ft/min
1,300 ft/min
1,260 ft/min
Service Ceiling 15,000 ft.
14,000 ft
14,000 ft
Takeoff Distance 600 ft. 950 ft.
850ft
Landing Distance
470 ft.
1,100 ft.
1,400 ft.
NOTE: Performance figures
based on the following: T-40 with conventional landing gear, T-40A with
conventional landing gear and 125 hp engine, and the Super T-40A (Bubble canopy)
with tricycle landing gear and 150 hp engine.
Top of Page
| 
