Pitcairn-Cierva PCA-2
![](/web/20061029140126im_/http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/images/collections/aircraft/pitcairn1.gif)
![](/web/20061029140126im_/http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/images/collections/aircraft/pitcairn2.gif)
- Period: Interwar (1919-1938)
- Uses: Corporate
- First Flight: March 1930
- Display Status: In Storage Wing
The first Pitcairn-Cierva autogyro PCA-1 flew in 1929, soon followed by the much improved PCA-2. In April 1931, the PCA-2 became the first rotary-winged aircraft certified for commercial use in the United States. The 24 PCA-2s built for the US Navy, were designated XOP. Fairchild soon imported a PCA-2 as the first rotary-winged aircraft registered in Canada. Interest in autogyros declined due to their high cost, mechanical inefficiency, high fuel consumption, and inferiority to the helicopter.
The autogyro is a rotary-winged aircraft. Unlike the helicopter, the rotor is not powered, but rotate as a result of the forward motion of the aircraft. Consequently the autogyro cannot hover, but instead can climb and descend almost vertically, as well as land and take-off with a very short run. Before take-off in early autogyros, someone on the ground would have to spin the rotor. The pilot then taxied on the ground to rotate the rotor up to take-off speed. The rotor of the PCA-2 could be “pre-spun” by a drive-shaft from the engine. A Canadian PCA-2 made the first loop by a rotary-winged aircraft.
Museum Example
- Registration #: NC2524 (USA)
- Manufacturer: Pitcairn Aircraft Inc., United States
- Manufacture Date: 1931
- Construction #: 8
- Acquisition Date: 1969
- Provenance: Purchase
The Museum specimen was manufactured in 1931 and flew in the United States for several private operators until 1948. In 1946 an engine change redesignated the aircraft PA-21. Lent to the Museum by Connecticut Aviation Historical Association in 1967, the aircraft was purchased in 1969. The rotor-head was bought in 1982.
Specifications
- Wing Span:
- 9.1 m (30 ft)
- Rotor diameter:
- 13.7 m (45 ft)
- Length:
- 7 m (23 ft 1 in)
- Height:
- 4 m (13 ft)
- Weight, Empty:
- 920 kg (2,030 lb)
- Weight, Gross:
- 1,360 kg (3,000 lb)
- Cruising Speed:
- 158 km/h (98 mph)
- Max Speed:
- 190 km/h (118 mph)
- Rate of Climb:
- 244 m (800 ft) /min
- Service Ceiling:
- 4,570 m (15,000 ft)
- Range:
- Unknown
- Power Plant:
- one Wright R-975-E2 Whirlwind, 420 hp, radial engine
Additional Photographs
The Canada Aviation Museum’s Image Bank contains additional photographs of this aircraft. Images are provided for non-commercial study or research purposes only and may not be reproduced or published without the prior consent of the Canada Aviation Museum.
Find out more about our Image bank here.