Thorp T-18
The T-18 is a two-place all-metal homebuilt aircraft designed in 1963 by John Thorp. Engines commonly used run from the 115 hp Lycoming O-235 to the 180 hp Lycoming IO-360. Intended to be easily constructed from sheets of aluminum, the T-18 is both durable and capable of high performance, cruising at up to 180 mph.
The T-18 was the first homebuilt to make use of a stabilator or "flying tail", an invention of John Thorp used on most low-wing Piper aircraft, beginning with the Cherokee.
T-18 plans are currently available to builders from Eklund Engineering, which is also developing a laser-cut kit version.
Specifications (T-18 with O-290)
General Characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 18 ft 11 in (5.77 m)
- Wingspan: 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m)
- Height: 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)
- Wing area: 86 ft² (8 m²)
- Empty: 900 lb (409 kg)
- Loaded: 1,500lb (682 kg)
- Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
- Powerplant: 1x Lycoming O-290, 125 hp (93 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 210 mph (131 km/h)
- Range: miles ( km)
- Service ceiling: ft ( m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
- Wing loading: 18.6 lb/ft² (85 kg/m²)
- Power/Mass: 0.08 hp/lb (0.14 kW/kg)
Related content
Related development: Thorp T-211
Comparable aircraft: Vans RV-4 - Glasair III -
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