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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pitcairn aircraft.

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.