TYPE: Twin-turboprop light transport.
PROGRAMME: Announced 17 October 2001 at Seoul Air Show. Design supervision by the late Desmond Norman, co-designer of the BNG Islander. JAR/FAR Pt23 certification intended in 2006.
Programme structured for joint funding (initially US$120 million) by three risk-sharing partners, Korean Aerospace Industries being first, on 17 October 2001, to pledge US$30 million to secure responsibility for wing production. Assembly of complete aircraft will be by a French company under contract to GECI.
CURRENT VERSIONS: Skylander: As described. Freighter, passenger and maritime patrol versions.
Skylander L: Lightened version with 559 kW (750 shp) PT6A engines, 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) payload and reduced price.
COSTS: Estimated US$3.5 million unit cost (2001). Sales goal over 20 years is some 1,300, being equivalent to 30 per cent of estimated market for 4,500 aircraft in this class.
DESIGN FEATURES: Intended for operation from rough airfields with minimal maintenance facilities. Fixed landing gear and conventional alloy structure; unpressurised. Certifiable to FAR Pt23.
Fuselage of square cross-section, with upswept rear; tailplane at base of fin. High wing with single bracing strut each side.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Horn-balanced rudder.
STRUCTURE: Principally of aluminium alloy.
LANDING GEAR: Tricycle type; fixed. Twin mainwheels; single, steerable nosewheel. Tyre size 8.50-10 (all round).
POWER PLANT: Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65B turboprops, each 820 kW (1,100 shp), driving Hartzell five-blade propellers. Total fuel 3,031 litres (800 US gallons; 667 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Two pilots; 18 passengers (two plus one abreast) and one cabin attendant. Alternative combi (nine to 12 passengers ahead of LD3 container and separated by 9 g bulkhead) and all-freight configurations. Latter include three LD3s plus 4.0 m³ (141 cu ft) to rear; and four 1.83 x 1.40 m (72 x 55 in) pallets plus 5.4 m³ (191 cu ft). Baggage hold beneath flight deck.
Crew door forward, port; double freight door (divided vertically, with forward- and rearward-opening elements) rear, port.
