Pitcairn-Cierva PCA-2

  • Period: Interwar (1919-1938)
  • Uses: Corporate
  • First Flight: March 1930
  • Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.

The first Pitcairn-Cierva autogyro PCA-1 flew in 1929, soon followed by the much improved PCA-2. In April 1931, the PCA-2 became the first rotary-winged aircraft certified for commercial use in the United States. The 24 PCA-2s built for the US Navy, were designated XOP. Fairchild soon imported a PCA-2 as the first rotary-winged aircraft registered in Canada. Interest in autogyros declined due to their high cost, mechanical inefficiency, high fuel consumption, and inferiority to the helicopter.

The autogyro is a rotary-winged aircraft. Unlike the helicopter, the rotor is not powered, but rotate as a result of the forward motion of the aircraft. Consequently the autogyro cannot hover, but instead can climb and descend almost vertically, as well as land and take-off with a very short run. Before take-off in early autogyros, someone on the ground would have to spin the rotor. The pilot then taxied on the ground to rotate the rotor up to take-off speed. The rotor of the PCA-2 could be “pre-spun” by a drive-shaft from the engine. A Canadian PCA-2 made the first loop by a rotary-winged aircraft.

Museum Example

  • Registration #: NC2624 (USA)
  • Manufacturer: Pitcairn Aircraft Inc., United States
  • Manufacture Date: 1931
  • Construction #: 8
  • Aquisition Date: 1969
  • Provenance: Purchase

The Museum specimen was manufactured in 1931 and flew in the United States for several private operators until 1948. In 1946 an engine change redesignated the aircraft PA-21. Lent to the Museum by Connecticut Aviation Historical Association in 1967, the aircraft was purchased in 1969. The rotor-head was bought in 1982.

Specifications

Wing Span:
9.1 m (30 ft)
Rotor diameter:
13.7 m (45 ft)
Length:
7 m (23 ft 1 in)
Height:
4 m (13 ft)
Weight, Empty:
920 kg (2,030 lb)
Weight, Gross:
1,360 kg (3,000 lb)
Cruising Speed:
158 km/h (98 mph)
Max Speed:
190 km/h (118 mph)
Rate of Climb:
244 m (800 ft) /min
Service Ceiling:
4,570 m (15,000 ft)
Range:
Unknown
Power Plant:
one Wright R-975-E2 Whirlwind, 420 hp, radial engine