PAC Cresco

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PAC Cresco
ZK-LTU.jpg
General information
Type Turboprop agricultural aircraft
Manufacturer Pacific Aerospace Corporation.
StatusIn service
Number built40
History
Manufactured1979-2003, 2019-present
Introduction date1979
First flight28 February 1979
Developed from Fletcher FU-24
Developed into PAC P-750 XSTOL

The PAC Cresco is a turboprop-powered derivative of the Fletcher FU-24 (later called the PAC Fletcher) aerial topdressing aircraft, manufactured by the Pacific Aerospace Corporation in Hamilton, New Zealand. The Cresco was superseded by the PAC P-750 XSTOL in the early 21st century, but in 2019 was returned to production with the first new aircraft being completed 3 December 2020. [1]

Contents

Design and development

The Cresco is a low-wing monoplane which, like the Fletcher but unlike most topdressers, has tricycle undercarriage and places the cabin forward of the hopper, at the leading edge of the wing - which gives the pilot of the Cresco a good field of vision. The high-lift wing has pronounced dihedral on the outer span. The prototype Cresco (ZK-LTP) had an all-moving tailplane, but was lost when the tailplane separated in flight, (the pilot parachuting to safety). Subsequent aircraft have had conventional tails.

Sales of the Cresco were not as impressive as those of the piston-engine powered Fletcher, with only 39 examples being built before production was terminated. The Cresco has been sold in several countries and has pioneered new utility roles not explored by the Fletcher. Although used primarily to spread superphosphate fertiliser, the Cresco is also used in the utility role, especially as a skydiving platform, where its fast rate of climb (1,560 ft/min, 7.9 m/s) has made it popular, and as a firefighting water bomber, a role it can perform with little alteration from its standard agricultural layout. One aircraft has been converted for aeromagnetic survey. A disadvantage in the utility role is the low internal volume available for the relatively high-powered engine.

PAC Cresco in flight in topdressing duty PAC Cresco in flight in topdressing duty.jpg
PAC Cresco in flight in topdressing duty

The Cresco is normally flown by a single pilot, but has a second seat in all versions. It can carry nine sky divers. Usual powerplant is a 750 hp (560 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-34AG.

The PAC 750XL, a utility aircraft was derived from the Cresco, and retains its high-lift wing. As of January 2019 120 PAC 750XL's have been produced and it remains in high demand as an uncompromising utility aircraft able to operate in hot and high conditions.

Underside plan view of PAC Cresco, during topdressing work. Underside plan view of PAC Cresco.jpg
Underside plan view of PAC Cresco, during topdressing work.

Cresco II

On 17 December 2019 Pacific Aerospace posted on Facebook an announcement by CEO Mark Crouch that the type would return to production as the Cresco II, with some modifications regarding pilot safety and comfort, for the New Zealand customer Rural Air Work Ltd. [2]

Variants

Cresco 08-600
Initial production version, powered by 447 kW (600 shp) Lycoming LTP 101-700A-1A engine. [3]
Cresco 08-750
More powerful version with 559 kW (750 shp) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34AG engine. Production from 1992. [3]
Cresco II
Improved cockpit sealing and air conditioning, more use of P-750 components, a carbon fiber engine cowl, and an EFIS avionics setup. Production from 2019.

Specifications (Cresco 08-600)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89 [4]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

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References

  1. "Pacific Aerospace". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  2. "BRINGING BACK A LEGEND". Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  3. 1 2 Jackson 2003, p. 322.
  4. Taylor 1988, p.179.