Sherpa Aircraft Sherpa

Sherpa
Sherpa K650T
General information
TypeFive-seat utility aircraft
National originUnited States
ManufacturerSherpa Aircraft Manufacturing
History
First flight1994

The Sherpa Aircraft Sherpa is an American five-seat utility aircraft designed and built by Sherpa Aircraft Manufacturing Inc.[1] The aircraft is made in two variants, a piston engined K500 and a turboprop K650T. The aircraft has a fixed conventional landing gear with a tailwheel, also available with alternate large tundra tires, skis or floats.

Variants

Sherpa K500
Five-seat variant powered by a Lycoming IO-720 piston engine.
Sherpa K650T
Improved eight-seat variant powered by a Honeywell TPE331 turboprop. One completed and flown by 2011.[2]

Specifications (K500)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 4[1]
  • Length: 30 ft 3 in (9.22 m)
  • Wingspan: 42 ft 7 in (12.98 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 2+34 in (2.81 m)
  • Wing area: 258 sq ft (24.0 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 7.0:1
  • Empty weight: 2,585 lb (1,173 kg)
  • Gross weight: 4,750 lb (2,155 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 121 US gal (101 imp gal; 460 L)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-720 piston engine , 400 hp (300 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 161 mph (259 km/h, 140 kn) (75% power): 138 mph (222 km/h; 120 kn) (econ. cruise)
  • Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn) (flaps down)
  • Never exceed speed: 212 mph (341 km/h, 184 kn)
  • Range: 1,108 mi (1,783 km, 963 nmi) (econ. cruise)
  • Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,480 ft/min (7.5 m/s)
  • Take off run: 396 ft (121 m)

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b Taylor 1996, p. 452
  2. ^ Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 69. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. ^ Jackson 2018, pp. 971–972
Bibliography
  • Jackson, Paul, ed. (2018). Jane's All the World's Aircraft Development & Production: 2018–2019. Coulsdon, UK: IHS Markit. ISBN 978-0-7106-3275-3.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory. London, England: Brassey's. ISBN 1-85753-198-1.