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.

Data from ^[4]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
• Wingspan: 29 ft 1 in (8.86 m)
• Height: 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
• Wing area: 132 sq ft (12.3 m²)
• Airfoil: NACA 4409
• Empty weight: 611 lb (277 kg)
• Gross weight: 1,040 lb (472 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,070 lb (485 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 12 US gal (10.0 imp gal; 45 L)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental A65-8 four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled piston engine, 65 hp (48 kW)
• Propellers: 2-bladed Sensenich 72-C-44 fixed-pitch wooden propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 107 mph (172 km/h, 93 kn)
• Cruise speed: 85–90 mph (137–145 km/h, 74–78 kn)
• Stall speed: 40 mph (64 km/h, 35 kn)
• Range: 270 mi (430 km, 230 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m) (at least)
• Rate of climb: 800 ft/min (4.1 m/s)

• 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