PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader
- CountryPoland
- TypeAg spraying and firefighter aircraft
- PowerplantsOne 745kW (1000hp) PZL Kalisz (Shvetsov) ASz-62IR supercharged nine cylinder radial piston engine driving a four blade constant speed propeller.
- PerformanceM-18 & M-18A (with ag equipment) - Max cruising speed 237km/h (128kt), typical operating speed range 170 to 190km/h (90 to 103kt). Initial rate of climb 1115ft/min. Service ceiling 21,235ft. Max range with no reserves with max fuel and no ag equipment 970km (520nm). M-18A (without ag equipment) - Max speed 256km/h (138kt), cruising speed 205km/h (110kt), typical operating speed 230km/h (124kt). Initial rate of climb 1360ft/min. Service ceiling 21,235ft. Max range with no reserves with max fuel and no ag equipment 970km (520nm).
- WeightsM-18A - Empty 2690kg (5930lb), max takeoff 4700kg (10,360lb) but restricted to 4200kg (9230lb) under FAR Pt 23.
- DimentionsM-18A - Wing span 17.70m (58ft 1in), length 9.47m (31ft 3in), height over tail 3.70m (12ft 2in). Wing area 40.0m2 (430.5sq ft).
- CapacityM-18 seats pilot only. M-18A has second seat for a ground loader or mechanic behind the pilot. M-18AS and BS have a second cockpit with instrumentation for an instructor. M-18B hopper capacity of 2500 litres (550Imp gal/660US gal) of liquid or 2200kg (4850lb) of dry chemicals.
- ProductionBy 2002 over 715 Dromaders built, most for export. M-18 single-seater production ceased in 1984 after 230 built.
The M-18 Dromader horticultural air ship has been one of Poland's best airplane trades.
PZL-Mielec composed the Dromader in a joint effort with Rockwell International in the US amid the mid 1970s. From the beginning the point was to endorsement the air ship to western guidelines. The main model of the essential single seat M-18 first flew on August 27 1976, a second model flew that October. Poland honored accreditation for the Dromader amid September 1978, and arrangement creation started the accompanying year.
The fundamental Dromader configuration was traditional, with force supplied by a nine barrel outspread motor, while the external wing boards were focused around those on the Rockwell Thrush Commander.
The fundamental single seat M-18 was in generation for five years until 1984 when it was supplanted by the two seat M-18a, yet has been accessible to uncommon request following. The two seat M-18a was created to permit the carriage of either a technician or synthetic loader to grim fields. Meanwhile PZL-Mielec had created a firebombing subordinate which first flew in 1978. The M-18as mentor has a second cockpit for flight direction. Since 1996 the M-18b, with a 5300kg (11,684lb) max takeoff weight, has been the standard creation model. The M-18bs is a two seat mentor focused around the M-18b. The M-18c with 895kw (1200hp) Kalisz K-9 motor flew in 1995 yet has not entered creation.
In the USA, Melex (part possessed by PZL-Mielec) created a Pt6a-45 turboprop improvement named the M-18/T45 Turbine Dromader. The Turbine Dromader first flew amid 1985 and the US FAA issued it a Supplementary Type Certificate in April 1986. Others have been changed over with a Pt6a-65, Tpe331-10 or T53-L-7 turbine motor.
Pictures of PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader
