AMD Alarus
Role Personal use & Trainer aircraft
Manufacturer Aircraft Manufacturing and Development
Designer Chris Heintz, Zenair
Introduction 1995
Status Production completed
Primary user Iraqi Air Force
Variants Zenair CH 640
Center panel and radio stack

The AMD Alarus CH2000 is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear general aviation airplane, used primarily for flight training, that was designed by Chris Heintz. It is manufactured by Aircraft Manufacturing and Design Co. in Eastman, Georgia. It is a low-wing aircraft, with one door located above each wing, respectively.[1] It can be considered a competitor to similar aircraft used for flight training, such as the Diamond DA20.

The Alarus features Garmin avionics and a 46-inch-wide (1,200 mm) cabin.[1]

As of 2011 the aircraft is no longer in production by AMD, although Zenair provides parts support.[2]

Variants

The Alarus was offered in two variants: the AMD Alarus CH2000 general aviation aircraft[1] and the SAMA CH2000 Military Tactical Surveillance Aircraft (MTSA).[3]

SAMA CH2000

The SAMA CH2000 is a military surveillance variant of the Alarus. It is equipped with forward-looking infrared – a multi sensor imager offering high performance, precision and high level imaging.[3]

The aircraft is also equipped with state-of-the-art communications systems for secure air-to-air and air-to-ground communications and is equipped for day and night missions. The aircraft is manufactured in Amman, Jordan and Baghdad, Iraq.[3][4]

The United States Army acquired 8 aircraft at a cost of USD$5.8M for the Iraqi Air Force in 2004, and the first two SAMA CH2000s were delivered on 18 January 2005. The first four CH2000s were used by the 3rd Squadron, based at Kirkuk Air Base, and the others by the 70th Squadron at Basra International Airport. In 2008, following the service entry of the Cessna 208 in the Iraqi Air Force, SAMA CH2000s used by the 3rd Squadron were transferred to the 70th Squadron.[5]

Zenair CH 640

The four seat kit aircraft derivative of the Alarus is the Zenair CH 640.[6]

Operators

The Alarus is used by some flight schools in the United States.[1]

In February 2008 there were 113 CH2000 Alarus registered in the USA[7] and four in Canada.[8]

The first military user of the CH2000 was the Iraqi Air Force, currently operating 8 aircraft.

The Peruvian Air Force will receive six CH2000s built under licence by SEMAN with some custom modifications. The Peruvian version is called the Antarqui (which was a special elite of Chasqui messengers in service with the Inca Empire, that are believed to have used a paragliding device to jump from one hill to another).

Military operators

Peruvian Air Force AMD Alarus CH2000 Antarqui, built under license by SEMAN
 Iraq
 Peru

Specifications

Data from AMD Website [10]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)
  • Wingspan: 28 ft 10 in (8.79 m)
  • Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
  • Wing area: 137 sq ft (12.7 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,085 lb (492 kg) basic VFR-equipped
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,692 lb (767 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 28 US Gallons (106 litres)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-235-N2C four cylinder, horizontally opposed, four stroke aircraft engine, 116 hp (87 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Sensenich fixed pitch, 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) diameter

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 99 kn (114 mph, 183 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 48 kn (55 mph, 89 km/h)
  • Never exceed speed: 143 kn (165 mph, 265 km/h)
  • Range: 486 nmi (559 mi, 900 km)
  • g limits: +4.4/-2.2 (utility category 1,606 lbs) +3.8/-1.9 (normal category 1,692 lbs)
  • Rate of climb: 750 ft/min (3.8 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 12.3 lb/sq ft (60 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 14.6 lb/hp (0.11 kW/kg)

Avionics

  • Garmin GNS 430 (COM, GPS, VOR, GS)
  • Garmin GI-106A VOR with GS slope
  • Garmin 340 audio panel
  • Garmin GTX 327 transponder/encoder
  • Bendix/king KX 155 NAV COM
  • Bendix/king KI 209 VOR with GS

See also

Related development

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Aircraft Manufacturing and Design (February 2008). "Alarus CH2000 - FAA Certified Aircraft". Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  2. ↑ Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 170. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. 1 2 3 Pike, John (June 2005). "SAMA CH2000". Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  4. ↑ Jordan Aerospace Industries Company (2007). "About Sama CH2000 Series". Archived from the original on 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  5. ↑ Delalande, Arnaud (2016). Iraqi Air Power Reborn, The Iraqi air arms since 2004. Houston: Harpia Publishing. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-9854554-7-7.
  6. ↑ Vandermeullen, Richard: 2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 77. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  7. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (February 2008). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  8. ↑ Transport Canada (February 2008). "Civil Aircraft Register". Archived from the original on 24 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
  9. ↑ "Force aérienne péruvienne (Fuerza Aérea del Perú, Pérou)". 17 September 2014. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  10. ↑ Aircraft Manufacturing and Design (n.d.). "Specifications List - Alarus". Archived from the original on 31 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
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