| Eagle | |
|---|---|
| Role | Light aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Windecker Industries |
| Designer | Leo and Fairfax Windecker[1] |
| First flight | 7 October 1967[2] |
| Number built | Two prototypes and six production aircraft[1] |
| Variants | Windecker YE-5 |
The Eagle AC-7 Eagle 1 (USAF designation YE-5)[2] is an aircraft that was manufactured by Windecker Industries. It was the first composite airplane (foam and fiberglass construction) to receive FAA certification in December 1969 at a reported development cost of US$20,000,000. The fiberglass process was named "Fibaloy" by Windecker.[3]
The Eagle's fuselage was molded in two pieces that were joined down the middle.[4] The first prototype had a fixed undercarriage but the second, known as the Eagle 1, had retractable tricycle gear. This aircraft first flew on 26 January 1969.[2] One prototype spun in on testing.[3]
Only eight Eagles were produced before production ended when the company ran out of money.[5]
No Eagle had been flying for many years, but one was restored and flown in December 2015, by Don Atchison, Mike Moore and a team commissioned by Chinese entrepreneur Wei Hang. Wei Hang holds the rights and the type certificate and plans to produce the aircraft in China for Asian sales.[1][5][6][7]
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72[8]
General characteristics
Performance