It was described in an EAA publication as a “Super Cub on Steroids” when the first Sherpa prototype appeared at Oshkosh 14 years ago. Now the jumbo-tired tail dragger prototype is back at AirVenture but this time alongside its latest variant the K650T, powered by a Honeywell turbine engine and pulling in more admiring glances than ever.
Sherpa has spent the seven years working with a Russian outfit following an offer to include the funding of a significant drawing package, the FAA Part 23 certification and the development of a complete kit program. But that relationship ended with founder Byron Root saying “The issues regarding quality construction and lower labor costs were goals that never came to fruition.”
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But with fresh impetus the program returned in full to Oregon and is on the eve of full flight test and is taking orders for the $720,000 eight-place bush aircraft.
President Glen Gordon says the company’s has taken a giant step toward delivering its goal of an airplane that can get off the ground in less than 100 feet in zero wind.
“Twenty years of research and development has gone into this,” says Gordon. “Our three prototypes have achieved 2700 hours of flight time.”
The aircraft has already proven itself with astonishing short field performance and has great potential for a number of missions including emergency evacuation and air ambulance as well as passenger transport for bush or harsh environments.
The Sherpa is the next best thing to a helicopter and is more than capable of achieving 80% of what a helicopter does with a fraction of the purchase and maintenance cost and with much less chance of equipment breakage in the field.
The latest developments include the 800hp Honeywell engine that responds quickly, increasing the go-around safety in difficult strips and a new wing fitted with a spoileron that allows safe slow flight – “40 mph on full flaps and you can turn safely”, says Gordon. With a new Hartzell three-bladed 116-inch bore prop, the wash allows what Gordon describes as “being able to lift standing still.”
Sherpa has 12 aircraft in various stages of production and is expecting the first customer deliveries by the third quarter of 2009.
Source: Flight International
