Pitcairn PA-19

The Pitcairn PA-19 was a four-seat autogyro developed in the United States in the early 1930s.^[1] While most of Pitcairn's autogyro designs featured open cockpits in tandem, the PA-19 had a fully enclosed cabin.^[2][3] It also had wings that carried control surfaces.^[2] The rotor provided lift only, but could be tilted in flight to trim the aircraft.^[4] Four examples were built before the effects of the Great Depression forced Pitcairn to abandon autogyro production in 1934.^[2][4]

Henry Latham Doherty purchased one to promote his "Florida Year-Round Clubs", while the Guinness Brewery purchased two. Colonel Robert L. Montgomery purchased one to commute between his homes, and Pitcairn Aviation kept one as a demonstrator.^[5]

Specifications

Data from "Pitcairn, A G A, Pitcairn-Cierva, Pitcairn-Larsen"

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot
• Capacity: 3-4 passengers
• Length: 25 ft 9 in (7.85 m)
• Wingspan: 38 ft 8 in (11.79 m)
• Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-975-E2 , 420 hp (310 kW)
• Main rotor diameter: 50 ft 8 in (15.44 m)
• Main rotor area: 2,014 sq ft (187.2 m²)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
• Range: 350 mi (560 km, 300 nmi)

References

Notes

1. Taylor 1989, p.735
2. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p.2739
3. "Autogiro With Two Rudders And Four Place Cabin", January 1933, Popular Mechanics rare photo of PA-19
4. "Archimedes Museum Photo Gallery"
5. Smith, Frank (1981). Legacy of Wings; The Harold F. Pitcairn Story. New York: Jason Aronson, Inc. pp. 212–216. ISBN 0876684851.

Bibliography

• "Archimedes Museum Photo Gallery". Archimedes Rotorcraft & V/STOL Museum website (cached copy). Mentone, Indiana: Archimedes Rotorcraft & V/STOL Museum. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
• "Pitcairn, A G A, Pitcairn-Cierva, Pitcairn-Larsen". Aerofiles. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.