Alon A-4

Alon A-4
Alon A-4 at fly-in in late 1980s
Role	Light aircraft
National origin	United States of America
Manufacturer	Alon Inc
First flight	25 February 1966

The Alon A-4 is a prototype American light aircraft of the 1960s. Alon INC. of McPherson, Kansas was formed by two former executives of Beechcraft in 1963 and had initially built an improved version of the ERCO Ercoupe as the Alon A-2. In 1964, Alon started design of an all-new four-seat light aircraft, the Alon Four (or Alon A-4). It was a conventional, singled-engined low-winged monoplane of all-metal construction with a fixed (non retractable) tricycle landing gear undercarriage. Alon produced one prototype, this first flying on February 25, 1966.^[1] The aircraft was never put into full production before the company was sold to Mooney aircraft. As of January 2014, this aircraft has a new owner and is being restored to airworthy condition in Iowa.

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 3 passengers
• Length: 23 ft 6 in (7.16 m)
• Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
• Height: 8 ft 1 in (2.46 m)
• Wing area: 160 sq ft (15 m²)
• Aspect ratio: 6.31:1
• Empty weight: 1,043 lb (473 kg)
• Gross weight: 2,150 lb (975 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-320-A air-cooled flat-four, 150 hp (110 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 150 mph (241 km/h; 130 kn) (max cruise)
• Cruise speed: 140 mph (122 kn; 225 km/h) (econ cruise)
• Stall speed: 52 mph (45 kn; 84 km/h) (flaps down)
• Never exceed speed: 209 mph (182 kn; 336 km/h)
• Range: 750 mi (652 nmi; 1,207 km) (max payload and fuel, 45 min reserves)
• Rate of climb: 880 ft/min (4.5 m/s)

References

• Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1966–67. London:Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1966.
• ref. see image of flier
• Alon X-A4 data