The first Equator testbed P-300 A1 is a exotic 6 seater research & development engineering airplane without compromises in it’s aerodynamics. The primary and secondary structure was made from the first generation of fiber composite.
The engine is mounted in the fuselage near the center of gravity with cooling fan and flywheel clutch to the drive shaft. The two blad propeller is mounted in the vertical fin. It is a constant speed propeller with reversing. The noise was reduced to a sound like a fan at very high efficiency. The wet wing has a laminar airfoil, variable geometry with double slotted flaps along it’s full span. It was controlled by spoilerons on the upper side.
The second Equator testbed Turbo P-420 is a wide body 8 seater. The primary and secondary structure is made from fiber composite. The turboprop engine is mounted in the vertical fin. The wet wing has a laminar airfoil, variable geometry with slotted flaps and flaperons along it’s full span.
Propulsion above the fuselage ahead of the empenage is without any doubt the best location aerodynamically. Although, there are disadvantages not apropriate for everydays flying.
The experience from the two testbeds above was used for todays MODULAR SYSTEM for the Equator. Propulsion is still located above the fuselage, but now above the center of gravity. Therefore most any type of engine is available to the Equator. Piston engines were test flown, turboprop engines were evaluated sucessfully for installation.
Much has been written about the Equator development and the system in journals and aviation books; following a selection is given:
Wolfgang Späte
Testpiloten
Aviatic Verlag, 1993 / ISBN 3-925505-23-7
Rolf Wurster
Deutsche Motorflugzeuge
Motorbuch Verlag, 1994 / ISBN 3-613-01554-4
David. B Thurston
Design for Safety
McGraw-Hill, 1980 / ISBN 0-07-064554-X
Hans-Jürgen Becker
Wasserflugzeuge-Flugboote, Amphibien, Schwimmerflugzeuge
Die deutsche Luftfahrt, Band 21
Bernard& Graefe Verlag, 1994 / ISBN 3-7637-6106-3
Fred Gütschow
Die deutschen Flugboote
Motorbuch Verlag, 1978 / ISBN 3-87943-565-0
Dieter Schmitt
Nordpolflug
Motorbuch Verlag, 1982 / ISBN 3-87943-882-X