CallAir A-9

Last updated
A-9
Aero Cmmdr A-9B Ag Cmmdr Super N7922V Driggs ID 22.06.94R edited-2.jpg
CallAir A-9B glider tug at Driggs Idaho in June 1994
General information
TypeAgricultural aircraft
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Intermountain Manufacturing Company, Aero Commander
History
First flight1963 [1]
Developed from CallAir Model A
N8234H, an original CallAir A-9 c/n 1211, before they were taken over by IMCO, and later by Rockwell Aero Commander Callair A-9 N8234H (4818166805).jpg
N8234H, an original CallAir A-9 c/n 1211, before they were taken over by IMCO, and later by Rockwell Aero Commander
For the USAF unmanned Quail drone aircraft, see ADM-20 Quail.

The IMCO CallAir A-9 is an agricultural aircraft that first flew in 1962, a development of the company's previous successful crop-dusters. It is typical of aircraft of its type - a single-seat aircraft with a low wing incorporating spraying gear.

Contents

Design and development

The Call Aircraft Company (CAC) had built the CallAir Model A series of light utility and agricultural aircraft. Following the purchase of CAC in 1962 by Intermountain Manufacturing Company (IMCO) the latter produced a new agricultural derivative of the Callair, the CallAir A-9. Production of the new aircraft started in 1963. [1]

Like the earlier CallAir aircraft, the A-9 is a single-engined monoplane with a braced low wing. It is of mixed construction, with a fabric-covered steel-tube fuselage structure and a wood-and-fabric wing. The pilot sits behind the chemical hopper, and the cockpit is enclosed by two removable, bottom-hinged doors that form the left and right side windows. The aircraft is powered by a single Lycoming O-540 flat-six piston engine. [1] [2] Later, some A-9s have been adapted for glider towing operations.

IMCO was in turn purchased by Rockwell International in 1966, which built the plane under its Aero Commander division before shifting production to Mexico in 1971, under a joint venture there called AAMSA. Production ceased in 1984.

Variants

A-9
Original variant, powered by a 235 hp (175 kW) Lycoming O-540-B2B5. Built by CallAir, [3] IMCO and Aero Commander (as the Sparrow Commander)
A-9B (Super)
Version with 290 hp (216 kW) Lycoming IO-540 or Lycoming TIO-540. [4] Built by Aero Commander (as the Quail Commander).
B-1
Enlarged A-9 with a 400 hp (298 kW) Lycoming IO-720-A1A engine and 42 ft 8 in (13.00 m) wingspan. First flight January 15, 1966. [5] Built by IMCO and Aero Commander (as the Snipe Commander). 36 built. [6]
AAMSA A9B
Licensed production by Aeronautica Agricola Mexicana SA (AAMSA) powered by 300 hp (220 kW) Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 engine and 210 US gal (170 imp gal; 790 L) hopper. 101 built by AAMSA, [7] with a further 17 assembled from Mexican-built components at Laredo, Texas by Aircraft Parts and Development Corporation. [6]
AAMSA A9B-M
Improved version of A9M, with cut down rear fuselage, redesigned cockpit, and increased wing dihedral. [7] 36 built. [6]
A9B-M Quail 'Naco'
Two seat military trainer aircraft built in Mexico by AAMSA, based on A9B-M. Single example (EPA-1) preserved at Museo Militar de Aviación - MUMA, Mexico City. [8]

Specifications (AAMSA A9B-M Quail)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83 [9]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 Taylor 1965, pp. 246–247.
  2. "A-9 Owners Manual: Serials 1048, 1111, 1117 & Up" Archived 2014-08-07 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  3. "N8234H CallAir A-9". FAA Registry N-Number Inquiry. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  4. "N7799V Aero Commander CallAir A-9B". FAA Registry N-Number Inquiry. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  5. Taylor 1966, pp. 261–262.
  6. 1 2 3 Simpson 1995, p. 104
  7. 1 2 Taylor 1982, p. 155
  8. "EPA-1, AAMSA A-9B Quail". airhistory.net. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  9. Taylor 1982, pp. 155–156.
Bibliography

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