Falconar Teal

Teal
Role Utility amphibian
Manufacturer Homebuilt
Designer Chris Falconar
First flight December 1967[1]

The Falconar Teal was a two-seat homebuilt, amphibious airplane designed by Chris Falconar of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. From the 1970s to the 1990s plans were sold by Falconar Aviation of Edmonton (downtown municipal airport). A handful were built by amateur aircraft constructors (aka homebuilders) in Canada and the United States. Most were powered by certified Lycoming or Continental engines.

Design and development

[edit]

The Teal was based on the two- or three-seat AMF Maranda, and was built mostly of wood. It featured strut-braced high wing, with "W" configuration struts running from the wing roots, down to stabilizing floats (which also contained the main wheels), then back up the wings near 70% span; cruciform tail; two pilots seated side by side under the wing; access to the cockpit by side doors; tricycle undercarriage with the main wheels retracting into stabilizing floats only about 25% of the wing span. The nosewheel retracted into the bow and was covered by two conventional (side-hinged) doors. A rarity among flying boats was its engine location in a nacelle, above the wing, with the propeller rotating immediately in front of the windscreen.

Specifications

[edit]

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–72[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
  • Wingspan: 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m)
  • Wing area: 160 sq ft (15 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 6.6:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 4412 (modified)
  • Empty weight: 1,050 lb (476 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320-B2A air-cooled flat four, 160 hp (120 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 125 mph (201 km/h, 109 kn) (max cruise)
  • Stall speed: 37 mph (60 km/h, 32 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 185 mph (298 km/h, 161 kn)
  • Range: 450 mi (720 km, 390 nmi) standard fuel
  • Ferry range: 700 mi (1,100 km, 610 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 16,400 ft (5,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,100 ft/min (5.6 m/s)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Taylor 1971, p.23.
  2. ^ Taylor 1971, pp. 23–24.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1971). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–72. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 376.
[edit]