Abzalev A-1 "Leech"

Abzalev A-1 Abzalev A-1 "Leech"
Floatplane
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

Abzalev Leech flying into a Bastian dust storm

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.

The aircraft can take off at speeds that some trucks can reach, allowing for automobile assisted takeoff

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