Vertipedia - Pitcairn PA-39

Developed in 1939, rebuilt from the PA-18 without the front wings. The 2-place autogyro made a take-off and landing on the British ship Empire Mersey in May 1942 [Ref 316].

Overview

Data on design, manufacture and status

Design authority: Pitcairn Autogiro Company

Primary manufacturer: Pitcairn Autogiro Company

Parent type: No type defined

Aircraft status: No longer flying

Configuration

Primary flight and mechanical characteristics

VTOL type: Gyroplane

Compound type: N/A compounded with 1 propulsors

Lift devices: 1 Single main rotor

Dedicated control device: 1 Rudder

Crew required: 1 in Tandem arrangement

Landing gear: Wheels (non-retractable)

Key Characteristics

Data on key physical features

Aircraft Details

Data on aircraft configuration, weights, flight performance and equipment

Layout and Dimensions

Weights and Performance

Engine Details

Primary Lift Device

Overall Dimensions
Overall Height:
Overall Length:
Overall Width:	12.88 m	42.3 ft

Airframe Dimensions
Airframe Length:
Airframe Width:
Airframe Height:

Landing Gear Dimensions
Landing Gear Base:
Landing Gear Track:

Cabin Dimensions
Cabin Internal Height:
Cabin Internal Length:
Cabin Internal Width:

Weights
Max Gross Weight (ground):	975 kg	2,150 lb
Max Gross Weight (airborne):
Max Take-off Weight:	975 kg	2,150 lb
Empty Weight:
Useful Load:
Empty Weight Fraction:

Climb Performance
Max Rate of Climb:

Hover Performance
Hover Ceiling IGE:
Hover Ceiling OGE:

Limitations
Max Level Flight Speed:	150 km/h	81 kts
Never Exceed Speed:
Service Ceiling:

Range and Endurance
Max Range:
Max Endurance:

Provided powerplant data is for uninstalled, sea level, static operations.

Powerplant
Number of engines:	1
Designation:	Warner Super Scarab reciprocating
Manufacturer:	Warner

Normal Ratings
Max continuous:
Take-off / rated:	123 kW	165 hp
Intermediate:
Maximum:

OEI Ratings
OEI contingency:
OEI continuous:
OEI 30-second:
OEI intermediate:

Main Rotor Characteristics
Diameter:	12.88 m	42.25 ft
RPM:
Direction of Rotation:	Clockwise
Hub Type:

Main Rotor Blade Characteristics
Blade Construction:
Blade Chord:
Blade Tip Geometry:	Tapered
Blade Twist:
Number of Blades:	3

Main Rotor Derived Characteristics
Disc Area:	130.25 m²	1402.0 ft²
Disc Loading:	7.49 kg/m²	1.534 lb/ft²
Solidity:

Main Rotor Blade Derived Characteristics
Blade area per blade:
Tip Speed:

Tail Rotor Characteristics
Diameter:
Configuration:	Unknown
Direction of Rotation:	Unknown
RPM:

Tail Rotor Blade Characteristics
Number of Blades:
Blade Construction:	N/A
Blade Chord:
Blade Twist:

Tail Rotor Derived Characteristics
Disc Area:
Solidity:

Tail Rotor Blade Derived Characteristics
Tip Speed:
Blade Area (per blade):

References

References and sources used

Helicopters & Autogyros of the World

Paul Lambermont, Anthony Pirie
Cassell & Company Ltd., 1959 (page 12)
Book

The History of the Autogiro (Autogiro Data Sheet)

George Townson
AHS Newsletter, 1961, March 1961 (page 12)
Periodical

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Images

Overview

Attribution

Main rotor

Attribution

Miscellaneous

Attribution

Number of engines:	1 Reciprocating
Max Level Flight Speed:	150 km/h	81 kts
Max Range:
Max Endurance:

Main Rotor Diameter:	12.88 m	42.25 ft
Max Gross Weight (ground):	975 kg	2,150 lb
Useful Load (calculated):