PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader

M-18 Dromader
M-18B Dromader used in South Dakota
Role Utility aircraft
National origin Poland
Manufacturer PZL-Mielec
First flight 27 August 1976
Number built 759+
Developed from Rockwell Thrush Commander

The PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader (Polish: "Dromedary") is a single engine agricultural aircraft that is manufactured by PZL-Mielec in Poland. The aircraft is used mainly as a cropduster or firefighting machine.

Development

PZL-Mielec, then known as WSK-Mielec, began to design the Dromader in the mid 1970s, with help of United States aircraft manufacturer Rockwell International. PZL-Mielec asked for Rockwell's help because of the political situation at the time: operating in an Eastern Bloc country, PZL wanted the aircraft to sell well worldwide, and the company realized that FAA certification would be important in reaching that goal. Rockwell on the other hand wanted to fit Polish high-power radial engines into its agricultural planes. As a result of this cooperation the Rockwell Thrush Commander aircraft was fitted with the PZL-3 engine, and the Polish designers created the higher payload M-18 Dromader by introducing the more powerful ASz-62 engine, making structural changes to the airframe, and increasing dimensions. This co-operation meant that the Dromader shares outer wing panels and part of a fuselage with the Thrush Commander.

The first prototype of the aircraft flew on August 27, 1976. In September 1978, the aircraft was given certification to fly in Poland. Certifications from many countries around the world followed soon.

Many aircraft of the M-18 type and its variations can still be seen around the world. They were sold to 24 countries, over 200 are used in the USA.[1]

Most Dromaders are easy to distinguish because of their yellow color. Some 759 had been built.[1] Currently (2012) models M-18B and M-18BS are offered by PZL-Mielec.[1]

PZL M-18B Dromader as waterbomber

Variants

Lineup of 4 M-18s at Perth Airport on standby for the bushfire season (early 2000s)
M-21 Dromader Mini
M-18
original one-seat production version, now available for special orders only.
M-18A
two seater available from 1984 onwards. Allows a mechanic or chemical loader to be carried as a passenger to remote fields.
M-18AS
two-cockpit trainer version
M-18B
refined version of M-18A with increased capacity, flown in 1993.
M-18BS
two-cockpit trainer.
M-18C
version with more powerful 895 kW (1,200 hp) Kalisz K-9 engine. Flown in 1995 but not produced.
M-18/T45 Turbine Dromader
turboprop powered with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 engine. First flew in 1985 and was given FAA certification in April 1986.
M-21 Dromader Mini
smaller variant (1100 kg of chemicals), flown in 1982, not produced.
M-24 Dromader Super
bigger variant (2000 kg of chemicals), flown in 1987, not produced.
M-25 Dromader Mikro
smaller variant (500 kg of chemicals), sketch only.
AII AVA-303
The M-18 is being built in Iran as the AVA-303.

Operators

Military

 Croatia
 Greece
 Montenegro
 Serbia -Former operator
Iran airforce

Civil

The Dromader is in service with aerial agriculture and other companies in many countries, operating in a variety of roles. The former Yugoslav Airline, Jugoslovenski Aerotransport, used it for cropspraying.

Specifications (M-18B Dromader)

M-18B Dromader dropping water
M-18B Dromader dropping water
PZL-Mielec M18 Dromader

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004[2]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

  1. 1 2 3 M-18 Dromader on PZL Mielec homepage [retrieved 24-1-2012] {in Polish}
  2. ↑ Jackson 2003, pp. 338–339.
  3. ↑ Taylor 1999, p.450. (M-18A)
  • Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.
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