Piper PA-8 Sky Cycle
1947
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Piper PA-8 Sky Cycle

The only prototype flew in 1947. Destroyed in a fire in 1948.


Specification 
 ENGINE1 x Lycoming O-145 piston engine, 55hp
 WEIGHTS
    Take-off weight567 kg1250 lb
    Empty weight346 kg763 lb
 DIMENSIONS
    Wingspan6.10 m20 ft 0 in
    Length4.77 m16 ft 8 in
    Height1.86 m6 ft 1 in
    Wing area12.68 m2136.49 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
    Max. speed185 km/h115 mph
    Cruise speed152 km/h94 mph
    Ceiling3560 m11700 ft
    Range643 km400 miles

Comments
Don P. Simons, donjan39=cox.net, 30.01.2011

Ernie Carlson was a close friend for many years. I was one of two test pilots. We built the Carlson Skycycle replica, NX47Y. It took about 8 years of spare time in the shop to get it airborne. I got nearly 20 hours in it and did the flying when the promotional filming was done. After some minor adjustments it flew nicely and I ferried it to Lock Haven for the Sentimental Journey gathering where the filming was done. It was not kitted because the center section was a very complicated structure - we ruined one and had to start over; the rolled aluminum tail cone was another do over job. With it's O-145 Lycoming it flew great. It was dumped over on its back an didn't get into the Piper Museum as planned. I built a model of it and it was placed in the museum showcase.

Ap Rademakers, ap.rademakers=gmail.com, 06.12.2010

Some years ago I saw the pictures of this plane and I contacted Carlson aircraft corporation. They are selling this plane as ultralight. They sold me a copy of the drawing of a PA-8 model made in 1946 by Ed Lidgard Comet model Airplane&supply Co.,Inc.. This drawing was made for building a show model. I enlarged the drawings to about 6 foot wingspan. I choose the for the Wingprofile: center= naca2412 420 mm wingtip= naca4412 260 mm. It is an extremely good natured flying plane powered by an OS 4 stroke 91s II P.

marcelo pricoli, marcelopricoli=gmail.com, 25.09.2010

tengo los planos para construirlo pero la version motor a gomas.si lo desean puedo enviarlo.dejen el mail
saludos

dennis hoffman, dennis=denscars.com, 18.05.2010

There were actually two prototypes built. (one crashed, one burned)The PA-8 has been recreated and flown by Carlson Aircraft in Ohio. For more information see their website.

PHILLIP, phlip5775=yahoo.com, 30.03.2010

I would like to try to build one. Is there any detailed information available?

Lee Lamar, leelamar=eveerestkc.net, 31.12.2009

The prototype fuselage was made from a dropable fuel tank made for a figher aircraft. The rear was an aluminum tube. As I recall, it had a nickname of Little ?????. I always remember it as being destroyed by Piper because of fear someone would get hurt with it.

Lee Lamar, leelamar=eveerestkc.net, 31.12.2009

The prototype fuselage was made from a dropable fuel tank made for a figher aircraft. The rear was an aluminum tube. As I recall, it had a nickname of Little ?????. I always remember it as being destroyed by Piper because of fear someone would get hurt with it.

R Landau, 01.11.2009

I saw this plane in Macy's (New York, 34th Street) when I was a boy. Thought it was a great idea, and never forgot about it! (I think it was in the toy department, or close to it!!!!)

Charles Cupp, cdcjr602=aol.com, 07.04.2009

My father Worked on this plane when he was in reasearch with Piper he gave alot of info to Carlson. Nice to know people still think about this plane. My dad says it was a ball to fly he wishes he could try it one more time.

R Banning, bigdaddy_bob=hotmail.com, 20.12.2008

I have built two 1/4 scale models of this aircraft. The first one was all balsa and destroyed in a crash due to an inconsiderate modeler who turned on his radio which was also on my frequency. Then in 1991, I built another with a carbon fiber fuselage and wing leading edge, which I still have. The canopy is from Lexan plastic made in my home designed vacuum forming box. Engine is a Saito twin 90 4 cycle.

Sidney Edelstein, sid330=mac.com, 07.11.2007

I am an RC aircraft enthusist, built a model of the PA-8 in 1948 is there a way to obtain plans of this aircraft now.

Do you have any comments about this aircraft ?

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