Abzalev A-1 "Leech"
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Abzalev A-1
Abzalev A-1 "Leech"
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| Floatplane | |||||
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| Role | Search&Rescue, patrol | ||||
| National Origin | Sahr | ||||
| Production History | |||||
| Produced | |||||
| 2112 - 2230(Planned) | |||||
| Designer | Abzalev Design Bereau | ||||
| Unit Cost | 20,973(√) | ||||
| Number Built | 77~ | ||||
| Service History | |||||
| In Service | |||||
| 2114 - Ongoing | |||||
| Used By | Sahren coastal service Sahren republican navy | ||||
| Aircraft Characteristics | |||||
| Dry Mass | 7,167 kg (max load) | ||||
| Length | 10 m | ||||
| Width | 12 m | ||||
| Height | 4.4 (with floats) 4.6 (with gear) m | ||||
| Propulsion | 2 x counterrotating Alkan Tractor Company Type-2109 LFO turbines | ||||
| Maximum Velocity | 117m/s | ||||
| Operational Range | 1,800 km | ||||
| Crew | Single Pilot Single Passenger |
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The Abzalev Leech is a dual counterrotating engine biplane designed for the Sahren coastal service in 2111. The aircraft entered service a year later, also being sold to the civilian market.
Development
The Sahren coastal service was founded in 2111 and requested aircraft capable of landing in harbours so new airfields would not be neccasary. The request specified a modern biplane that either had wheels embedded into floats or could have floats replaced with gear easily, with a stall speed of 30m/s maximum and a minimum crew capacity of two.
LFO turbines were chosen for their excellent acceleration at low speeds and mass efficiency. To fulfill the gear requirements Abzalev developed the A-1 general purpose pontoon which could be removed and exchanged with landing gear quickly.
Design
The Abzalev Leech featured two open cockpits inline with eachother with the rear cockpit having a shrunk instrument panel to make space for extra equipment. The cockpits are so close to eachother it is possible to transfer between the two at low speeds if the autopilot is kept online. The wingspan was extended to 12 metres and the ailerons were converted to unique elevons to lower the takeoff speed to 25m/s. The engine has no throttle, instead throttle is controlled through propellor pitch after engine ignition. Lack of engine throttle was a trend in future Abzalev designed propellor aircraft. Two pylons are mounted below the cockpits which can be equipped with either A-1 general purpose pontoons or retractable landing gear pods. This narrow gear arrangement causes the wings to occasionally dip in the water. In the tail a non retractable wheel can be affixed by driving two pins through, a crude method that prevented wheel steering but could be done in intense hurry. A speed of 30m/s was intended initially but the aircraft can reach 117m/s in a straight flight just above sea level.
Accidents and Incidents
The Abzalev Leech has crashed rarely and only due to pilot negligence. Most common are water landings that are too fast and cause the aircraft to flip