Air Tractor AT-802

History of Air Tractor AT-802

The Air Tractor AT-802 is a multi-role, light aircraft originally developed for the agricultural market. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Olney, Texas, USA.

Its first aircraft product was the AT-300, which was developed from the "Ayers Thrush" monoplane of similar form and function in the 1950s. The AT-802 model first flew in 1990 and is active in the air today (2017), and its role has since expanded to other applications in areas such as military and government security.

The aircraft layout is conventional, but a bit awkward at first glance. As usual, the engine is in the nose, the cockpit is amidships, and the tail is in the expected stern position. The tail has a vertical fin and a low level with a truncated tip.

The main plane of the wing is set slightly forward of the center of the hull, the shape is straight, and the tip is truncated. The landing gear is fixed (tail) and wheeled for land-based operations, although there is a version with floats that allows take-off and landing on water.

The position of the pilot is that he sits near the center mass of the aircraft, in a high position, and observes the action on the nose and wings. The canopy is designed to modern standards, and the second crew seat is located behind the pilot's seat.

The cockpit protrudes slightly from the fuselage ridge, giving the aircraft a highly distinctive look.

Inside the aircraft is a "funnel", a pyramid-shaped device that holds (and ultimately distributes) chemicals in the air/ground. The funnel was located forward between the engine and the cockpit, and the aircraft carried a second such unit in the prone position.

This addition enables the AT-802 to participate in agricultural and firefighting flights.

The AT-802 is available in two basic hull forms, the standard AT-802 Tandem Double Seat and the AT-802A Single Seat. The AT-802F (aka AT-802AF) is an aerial firefighting variant equipped with role-specific mission gear, while the "Fire Boss" is a derivative of the AT-802F with buoys for amphibious warfare.

As designed, the aircraft has an overall length of 36 feet and a wingspan of 59.2 feet. Its height is 12.8 feet. The kerb weight is 6,500 pounds, compared to 16,000 pounds MTOW, and power is provided by a single Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67AG turboprop in the nose.

The unit produces 1,350 horsepower at takeoff and enables the aircraft to cruise at 220 mph and have a range of up to 800 miles. Listed service is capped at 25,000 feet with a climb rate of 850 feet per minute.

The AT-802U is a militarized version of the AT-802 that accommodates 2 crew members in tandem. If required, the aircraft will be modified to carry special mission equipment and ordnance. It also provides armor protection for its crew and vital flight systems. The AT-802U formed the basis for the AT-802L "Longsword" reconnaissance and light attack platform. The model has been modified through a joint partnership with equipment manufacturer L3 Technologies.

It is known as the OA-8 "Long Sword" in the Asia Pacific market.

The IOMAX Archangel (detailed elsewhere on this page) is another military-focused product in the form of the AT-802, but based on the Thrush S2R-660 model series. It is classified as a counterinsurgency aircraft and is therefore authorized to carry bombs, rockets, ordnance pods and rockets. The sensor housing is attached to the ventral ridge of the aircraft.

It's currently pitching to potential buyers.

Another AT-802U branch is the "T-Bird" (described in detail elsewhere on this page), a militarized version modified by Bulgarian LASA Engineering. The product is also known as a counterinsurgency platform and is actively seeking customers.

It flies on a GE H80 turboprop, rather than the usual Pratt & Whitney Canada installation.

The AT-802 is used in the military, government and private markets in countries around the world, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Spain, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates to name a few (see full operator list below ). For the Egyptians, the type served a close air support (CAS)/light strike role in the Egyptian Air Force.

Specification

Basic

Production

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Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes