L-28A / Helio Courier Model 395
The USAF L-28A is a military version of Helio Courier Model 395. It is a fully cantilever high wing monoplane of all-metal construction . It is powered by a Lycoming GO-480-G106 engine turning a three-bladed Hartzell constant-speed propeller 96 inches in diameter. It is a five-place airplane with two tandem side-by-side seats and a fifth seat in the rear of the cabin area. The pilot's seat is ground adjustable vertically. Entrance to the front seat is through the left front door and to the rear seats through the right rear door. An open baggage compartment is located behind the rear seat. Dual flight controls are provided except that toe brakes are provided for the pilot's position only. Slotted flaps are actuated by means of a hand crank, eighteen revolutions of the crank being required to obtain the full flap deflectionof 40 degrees. Full span leading edge slats are provided as additional high lift devices. Short span Frieze ailerons, which are fabric covered, are used for lateral control in conjunction with leading edge interceptors (spoilers). Pitch control is obtained with an all-horizontal tail and only pitch trim is provided. Crosswind landing gear with locking provision is incorporated.
Pitch trim was provided in the cockpit and was highly sensitive. Roll and yaw trim controls were not provided. As a result, control pressures were required to maintain straight and level flight under varying load conditions. The airplane was very sensitive to light air turbulence which resulted in excessive control manipulation to maintain altitude and heading. The airplane could not be stalled completely with any combination of power and flaps. With the stick fullback, settling occurred within the IAS range of 30-41 knots, dependent on the power and flap settings.
The L-28A with a crew of two and full fueland oil has a maximum payload of approximately 100 pounds and a radius of action of 205 nautical miles with a 30 minute reserve. This is based on 70 percent of power settings and an average true air speed of 122 knots. As stated in the Operator's Manual, the L-28A has a range of 570 nautical miles at 134 knots TASat 6, 500 feet with no reserve. At the maximum endurance power setting at an altitude of 10, 000 feet, and at 61 knots TAS an endurance of 6.67 hours and a range of 406 nautical miles is obtained.
| Gross weight | 3,000 pounds |
| Empty weight | 2, 173 pounds |
| Useful load | 827 pounds |
| Wing span | 39 feet |
| Wing area | 231 square feet |
| Length | 30 feet |
| Height to top of vertical stabilizer | 8 feet 1 inch |
| Wheel tread | 108 inches |
| Fuel capacity | 360 pounds |
| Takeoff power | 295 h.p |
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