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| ACE | |
|---|---|
| Role | Trainer Type of aircraft |
| National origin | South Africa |
| Manufacturer | Atlas Aircraft Corporation |
| First flight | 29 April 1991 |
| Number built | 2 |
TheAtlas ACE is a South African turboproptrainer, that was designed by theAtlas Aircraft Corporation as a contender to replace theNorth American Harvard in service with theSouth African Air Force. The aircraft was not selected and only two examples were completed.
The design originated as the 1986 Project Ovid by the government research agency Aerotek, as a composites technology demonstrator.[1] In 1991 the design was entered into a competition to replace theNorth American Harvard by theAtlas Aircraft Corporation as theACE (All Composite Evaluator).
The ACE is a tandem two-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane powered by aPratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop. It has a retractable nosewheel landing gear and a conventional tail unit. The aircraft is constructed fromcarbon fiber composites.[1]
The prototype was first flown on 29 April 1991, but did not win the competition which was awarded to thePilatus PC-7.[1]
On 14 January 1995 the prototype was lost in a wheels up landing at Jan Smuts Airport.[1] The second improved aircraft was scheduled to fly, but the design was not developed.
General characteristics
Performance
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