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Subject: Grumman Ag Cat
Date: 14 Nov 2018 07:24:57 -0800
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_Ag_Cat
The Ag Cat was the first aircraft specifically designed by a major aircraft
company for agricultural aviation, and the first aircraft designed according to
the regulations of Civil Aeronautics Manual Part 8, which had been written
especially for agricultural aircraft.
In 1955, Grumman preliminary design engineers Joe Lippert and Arthur Koch
proposed the design for a "purpose built" crop dusting airplane as a means of
fulfilling a pressing need in the agricultural community as well as the
perceived need for Grumman to diversify its product lines. The initial market
survey indicated that 100 - 200 of this type could be sold each year. Lippert's
initial proposal was made under the project name "Farmair 1000."
The first G-164, which was built by Grumman (N74054), was equipped with a
Continental W670 Series 6A-16 powerplant. This ship accomplished its maiden
flight on May 27, 1957 with Grumman test pilot Hank Kurt at the controls. This
initial flight test consisted of three short familiarization hops with the
take-off weight set at 3122 lbs, and the c.g. at 31.2%. Flight tests 2 & 3, with
test pilot Victor Eble, were accomplished on May 28, 1958 to evaluate the
general flight characteristics. A total of 46 test flights were completed by the
end of August 1958 with a general finding that this was a well-behaved aircraft
with only minor refinements needed before production.
When the decision was made to authorize production, Leroy Grumman suggested
marketing the aircraft under the name "The Grasshopper." However, Dick Reade
suggested "Ag-Cat," following Grumman's naming tradition using the suffix "-Cat"
in aircraft names (e.g., F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat). Mr. Grumman agreed and
the Grumman G-164 became the "Ag-Cat."
Large military orders prevented the production of the Ag-Cat at Grumman's
Bethpage facility. Grumman's Board of Directors chose to subcontract the entire
program to the Schweizer Aircraft Company of Elmira, New York. Initial
production was through a contract between Schweizer Aircraft Corporation, and
Grumman. The first Schweizer-built Ag-Cat, bearing registration number N10200
flew on October 17, 1958 under the control of Schweizer test pilot Clyde Cook.
Full production began in January 1959 with Schweizer delivering 12 FAA certified
airplanes to Grumman by March 1959. The FAA granted type certification on
January 20, 1959.
Role
Agricultural aircraft
Manufacturer
Grumman
First flight
1957
Introduction
1957
The ownership of the Ag-Cat design has changed hands several times. Grumman
transferred ownership to its commercial aircraft subsidiary, Grumman American,
in 1973. A market feasibility study for a new agricultural aircraft (AgCat X)
was completed by Grumman American in 1976. This study indicated that there was a
potential market demand for more than 100 aircraft each year. The study also
showed that most of the concerns expressed by agricultural aircraft operators
were addressed by the AgCat C model. The Grumman American subsidiary, which also
owned the Grumman Gulfstream design series, was sold to American Jet Industries
in 1978.
From initial production through 1981, Schweizer built 2,455 aircraft under
contract. In 1981 Schweizer bought the rights to the design and continued
production under the name Schweizer Ag-Cat.Schweizer sold the design to Ag-Cat
Corp. of Malden, Missouri in 1995.
Five model G-164B aircraft were produced, and registered, before Ag-Cat Corp.
entered bankruptcy. One additional aircraft, a G-164BT500, is listed in the FAA
registry as having been produced by Ag-Cat Corp., however no tail number was
issued. This may have been an upgrade to an existing airframe.
In February 2001 the design was sold to Allied Ag-Cat Productions Inc. of Walnut
Ridge, Arkansas. Allied Ag-Cat are not producing new aircraft although a related
company operates a large fleet of Ag-Cats.
The basic airframe incorporates many safety innovations, including a pressurized
cockpit to keep pesticides out, air conditioning and a fuselage structure that
is designed to progressively collapse in the event of a collision. Lippert and
Koch were recognized for their innovation in agricultural aircraft, being
awarded the Puffer Award by Delta Air Lines in 1974.
Floats were approved for the aircraft in the early 1990s in Australia
Specifications (G-164B Super B Turbine)
General characteristics
Crew: one
Capacity: 400 US gal (1,514 liters) in forward hopper
Height: 12 ft 1 in (3.68 m)
Empty weight: 3,150 lb (1,429 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 7,020 lb (3,184 kg)
Performance
Never exceed speed: 136 knots (157 mph, 252 km/h)
Cruise speed: 113 knots (130 mph, 209 km/h)
Stall speed: 56 knots (64 mph, 103 km/h)
Range: 172 nmi (198 mi, 318 km)
*
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