Fike Model D

The Fike Model D was a light aircraft built in the United States in the early 1950s. Designed by airline pilot William Fike,^[1] it was a conventional high-wing strut-braced monoplane with tailskid undercarriage and seating for one or two people in an enclosed cabin. In appearance, the aircraft strongly resembled a Piper Cub, with only the tail surfaces sourced from one.^[2] An unusual feature was that the flight controls were mounted to the ceiling of the cabin, rather than the floor.^[3] This facilitated the folding or removal of the seat or seats to enable the aircraft's use as a sleeping space when camping with it. Plans were marketed for homebuilding.

Specifications

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62^[4]

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
• Wingspan: 29 ft 1 in (8.86 m)
• Height: 5 ft 5 in ( m)
• Wing area: 132 ft² (12.26 m²)
• Empty weight: 611 lb (277 kg)
• Gross weight: 1,040 lb (472 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental A65 four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled piston engine, 65 hp (48 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 107 mph (172 km/h)
• Range: 270 miles (435 km)
• Service ceiling: 10,000 + ft (3,050 + m)
• Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)

References

• Taylor, John W. R. (1961). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company. 
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 392. 
• aerofiles.com