Adam A500

infobox Aircraft
name = A500
type = civil utility aircraft
manufacturer = Adam Aircraft Industries

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caption = Adam A500 during flight test at the Mojave Spaceport
designer =
first flight = July 11 2002
introduced =
status =
primary user =
more users =
number built = 7
unit cost =

The Adam A500 is a six-seat civil utility aircraft that was produced by Adam Aircraft Industries. The aircraft is of pod-and-boom, push-pull configuration with its two Continental IO-550 piston engines mounted to provide centerline thrust.

Adam Aircraft ceased operations on 11 February, 2008 cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/AdamAircraft_SuspendsOperations_Closing_197121-1.html|title = Adam Aircraft Suspends Operations|accessdate = 2008-02-11|last = Niles|first = Russ|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = February] , and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on 19 February, 2008 cite web|url = http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_8305142|title = Adam Aircraft files Chapter 7|accessdate = 2008-02-19|last = Yamanouchi|first = Kelly|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = February] , having delivered 7 A500s.

In April 2008 Adam Aircraft was purchased from bankruptcy by AAI Acquisition Inc. This new company has indicated that they will pursue certification of the A700 jet as a priority and that the A500 will not be produced in the foreseeable future due to the continuing poor market for piston-engined aircraft. cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/AdamAircraft_CourtApprovesSale_AAIAcquisition_197620-1.html|title = Court Approves Adam Sale To Russian-Backed Firm|accessdate = 2008-04-12|last = Niles|first = Russ|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = April] cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1176-full.html|title = AVwebFlash Complete Issue: Volume 14, Number 31e|accessdate = 2008-08-01|last = AVweb Editorial Staff |authorlink = |year = 2008|month = August]

M-309

The A500 was developed from the M-309 CarbonAero technology demonstrator designed by Burt Rutan and built by Scaled Composites at the Mojave Airport. The "309" designation refers to this being Rutan's 309th aircraft design. The 309 first flew in March 2000, but the aircraft has since been gutted and was used as a static display outside the Adam Aircraft Industries headquarters. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3897/is_200008/ai_n8921359 Adam M-309 article summary] ] In 2006 the 309 was loaned to the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum and is now on display outside. [http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=39.720604,-104.894674&spn=0.000745,0.001738&z=19 Google Map]

Description

Compared to conventional twin-engine installations, the centerline thrust arrangement reduces drag and maximizes the controllability of the aircraft should one engine malfunction or fail. This engine configuration was used by the similar Cessna Skymaster. The A500 airframe is largely built of graphite composite materials. Other features include FADEC and cabin pressurization.

The prototype A500 first flew on July 11 2002 and was FAA certified in May 2005.

A500 payload issues

In evaluation flights conducted in 2007 the A500 was noted as being over the projected empty weight by 1,260 lb (571 kg) or 30%.MacClellan, J. Mac: "Adam A500" Flying Magazine, December 2007, pages 54-55. Hachette Filipacchi Media.]

The initial design empty weight publicized in 2003 was 4,200 lb (1905 kg), while the actual empty weight of the serial number 7 A500 was 5,460 lb (2476 kg). Initial gross weight was to be 6,300 lb (2857 kg), which has been increased to 7,000 lb (3175 kg). This has resulted in a change of useful load from a forecast 2,100 lb (952 kg) to 1,540 lb (698 kg).

With the 230 US gallon (871 liter) fuel tanks full, the available payload for crew, passengers and baggage is currently 160 lb (73 kg), down from a projected 720 lb (327 kg). This means that currently the A500 cannot carry full fuel and one standard weight adult male or female pilot. [ cite web|url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/publications/tp14371/RAC/3-1.htm#3-5|title = Aeronautical Information Manual 3.5 Weight and Balance Form|accessdate = 2008-01-18|last = Transport Canada|authorlink = |year = 2007|month = October]

Adam Aircraft was to address the lack of useful load by demonstrating that the current 30 US gallons (114 liters) of unusable fuel is actually 10 US gallons (38 liters). This will increase the useful load by 120 lb (54 kg) and allow a full fuel crew weight of 280 lb (127 kg).

upport & aircraft type club formation

The five A500s in private service have run into problems obtaining parts and at least one was reported as grounded due to parts issues in August 2008. cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/AdamA500OwnersOrganizeToLobbyForSupport_198672-1.html|title = Adam A500 Owners Organize To Lobby For Support |accessdate = 2008-08-29|last = Grady|first = Mary|authorlink = |year = 2008|month = August]

The aircraft owners have organized an aircraft type club, the A500 Owners Association, with the goal of convincing the new owners of the design, AAI Acquisitions to provide parts support for the existing aircraft.

AAI's head of customer support, Jan D'Angelo, responded saying:

Popular Culture

The A500 was featured in the 2006 film Miami Vice.

pecifications (A500)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref=Adam Aircraft [cite web
url=http://www.adamaircraft.com/specifications.asp
title=A500 Performance and Specifications
last=
first=
date=
accessdate=2006-09-23
work=Adam Aircraft
publisher=]
crew=one, pilot
capacity=five passengers
length main= 36 ft 8 in
length alt= 11.19 m
span main= 44 ft
span alt= 13.41 m
height main= 9 ft 6 in
height alt= 2.90 m
area main= 170 ft²
area alt= 15.79 m²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 5,160 lb
empty weight alt= 2,340 kg
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main= 1,890 lb
useful load alt= 857 kg
max takeoff weight main= 7,000 lb
max takeoff weight alt= 3,175 kg
more general=
engine (prop)=Teledyne Continental TSIO-550E
type of prop=piston engines
number of props=2
power main= 350 hp
power alt= 261 kW
power original=
max speed main= 225 knots
max speed alt= 288 mph, 461 km/h
max speed more= at 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
cruise speed main= 220 knots
cruise speed alt= 265 mph, 425 km/h
cruise speed more= at 22,000 ft (6,705 m)
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
stall speed main= 75 knots
stall speed alt= mph, km/h
range main=1,150 nm
range alt= 1,320 mi, 2,130 km
ceiling main= 18,000 ft
ceiling alt= 5,488 m
climb rate main= 1,368 ft/min
climb rate alt= 415 m/min
loading main= 37 lb/ft²
loading alt= 180 kg/m²
power/mass main= 7.3 lb/hp
power/mass alt= 160 W/kg
more performance=
armament=
avionics=

References

* [http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/ade7e5412c06870f8625734000554a28/$FILE/A00009DE.pdf FAA Type Certificate A00009DE]

External links

* [http://www.adamaircraft.com Adam Aircraft]
* [http://www.wings.museum.org/ Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum]

ee also

aircontent
related=
* Adam A700
similar aircraft=
* Cessna Skymaster

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see also=