Edgley Optica

{{Short description|British low-speed light aircraft}} {{Lead too short|date=January 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox aircraft |name= EA-7 Optica |image= File:Edgley Optica Sywell 1.jpg |caption= Edgley Optica G-BOPO at the 2008 [[Sywell Aerodrome|Sywell]] Airshow |type= [[Surveillance aircraft|Observation]] |national_origin = United Kingdom |manufacturer= Edgley |designer= John Edgley |first_flight= 14 December 1979 |introduction= |retired= |status= |primary_user= |more_users= |produced= |number_built= 22 |program cost= |unit cost= |developed_from= |variants= |developed_into= }}

The '''Edgley EA-7 Optica''' is a British [[light aircraft]] designed for low-speed [[Surveillance aircraft|observation]] work, and intended as a low-cost alternative to [[helicopter]]s. The Optica has a loiter speed of 130 km/h (70 kn; 81 mph) and a stall speed of 108 km/h (58 kn; 67 mph).

The aircraft's distinctive appearance has led to it being known as the "bug-eye" in some popular reports.<ref name="Bug p1591">''Flight International'' 12 May 1979, p. 1591.</ref>

The Optica project began in 1974 with a company, Edgley Aircraft Limited, formed by John Kelsey Edgley who, with a small team, designed and built the original prototype. In 1982, institutional investors bought into the project and set up a production line at [[Old Sarum Airfield]] in Wiltshire. Over the next three years, the company was built up to full manufacturing capability, the aircraft received UK certification, and the first customer aircraft was delivered. Despite this success, the additional investment necessary for the final phase of full production was not forthcoming, the business went into receivership, and John Edgley was forced out. With new owners, aircraft on the production line were completed, and the Optica entered service.

The aircraft has an unusual configuration with a fully glazed forward cabin, reminiscent of a [[Hiller OH-23 Raven|Hiller Model 360]] or [[Hughes TH-55 Osage|Hughes Model 269]] helicopter, that provides 270° panoramic vision and almost vertical downward vision for the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft has twin booms with twin rudders and a high-mounted tailplane. It is powered by a [[Lycoming O-540|Lycoming]] flat-six normally-aspirated engine situated behind the cabin and driving a fixed pitch [[ducted fan]]. Due to the ducted fan, the aircraft is exceptionally quiet. The aircraft has a fixed tricycle undercarriage with the nosewheel offset to the left. The wings are [[Wing configuration#Wing sweep|unswept]] and [[Wing configuration#Chord variation along span|untapered]]. The aircraft is of fairly standard all-metal construction, with a [[stressed skin]] of [[aluminium]].

== Operational history == The Optica, powered by a 160 hp (119 kW) [[Lycoming O-320|Lycoming IO-320]] engine, made its maiden flight on 14 December 1979<ref name="Bug p1594">''Flight International'' 12 May 1979, p. 1594.</ref> when it was flown by [[Squadron Leader]] Angus McVitie, the chief pilot of the [[Cranfield University|Cranfield College of Aeronautics]].<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1979/1979%20-%204689.html ''Flight International''] 29 December 1979, p.2111.</ref>

The Optica, upgraded to the more powerful [[Lycoming O-540|Lycoming IO-540]],<ref name= "Production p1111">''Flight International'' 21 April 1984, p. 1111.</ref> entered production in 1983. Edgley Aircraft Limited obtained its initial [[Civil Aviation Authority]] certification on 8 February 1985.<ref name="Janes p294">Taylor 1988, p.294.</ref>

A total of 22 Opticas were built, while construction of a 23rd began but was not completed. Ten aircraft were destroyed in an arson attack at the factory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-edgley-seeks-buyer-for-optica-observati-401484|work=[[Flightglobal]] |title=FARNBOROUGH: Edgley seeks buyer for Optica observation aircraft|first=Kate|last=Sarsfield|date=16 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://planeandpilotmag.com/this-incredible-plane-edgley-optica/ | title= plane and pilot magazine}}</ref>

The Optica went through several changes of ownership, until FLS Aerospace (Lovaux Ltd) took over the rights, together with the design and manufacturing rights to the [[FLS Sprint|Sprint]]: a two-seat [[ab-initio trainer]] that had been designed by Sydney Holloway in Cornwall UK at about the same time as the Optica. Lovaux had intended to develop both aircraft, with the Sprint intended as the military trainer for the UK forces. However, the Sprint was not adopted for this role, and Lovaux cancelled both projects.

The Optica and the Sprint together then passed through other owners until, in 2007, they were offered to John Edgley who formed a new company, AeroElvira Limited, with three former employees of Edgley Aircraft (Chris Burleigh, Fin Colson and Dave Lee) who at that time were working on both projects for the then-owners. The new company successfully put G-BOPO back into service as a UK demonstrator, with a first return-to-service flight on 3 June 2008.<ref>[http://www.aeroelvira.co.uk/, Aero Elvira]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Accessed 23 March 2008</ref><ref>"[http://www.flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=778 Optica flies again in UK] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101122213626/http://flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=778 |date=22 November 2010}}". ''Flyer''. 5 August 2008. Retrieved 25 August 2008.</ref> In August 2016 Interflight Global (IFG) announced plans to start a valuation of the dormant Optica programme with a view to relaunching production.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-optica-moves-a-stop-closer-to-relaunch-427435/|title=Farnborough: Optica moves a stop closer to relaunch|date= 13 July 2016 |newspaper= Flightglobal |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> In December 2016, IFG completed its valuation and in June 2017, delivered an LOI to AeroElvira to continue with due diligence, appraisal and further steps to re launch the EA-7 Optica aircraft programme in the 2018–19 timeframe.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ifg-gets-optica-production-launch-in-its-sights-439044|title=IFG gets Optica production launch in its sights|work= [[Flightglobal]]|first=Kate|last= Sarsfield |date=5 July 2017|access-date= 26 August 2017}}</ref> IFG planned to develop, market and support the Optica, outsourcing the fabrication and final assembly to an FAA/EASA Part 23 certified OEM.

== Accidents and incidents == On 15 May 1985, Optica G-KATY crashed, killing its [[Hampshire Constabulary]] pilot and his photographer passenger. The UK Department of Transport [[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] found, inter alia, that: "There was no indication that either structural or mechanical failure had occurred or of flying control malfunction or jamming." and that "The final loss of control was caused by either the aircraft stalling in a turn at a high angle of bank, or the nose dropping."<ref>{{cite web|last1=McKinley|first1=R C|title=Report on the accident to Edgley Optica G-KATY at Ringwood, Hampshire, on 15 May 1985|url=https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/5422f939ed915d137400072f/1-1986_G-KATY.pdf|website=cabinet-office.gov.uk|publisher=[[Office of Public Sector Information|HMSO]]|date=1986|access-date=2 January 2016|location=London|page=24}}, paras 6 & 10</ref>

On 11 March 1990, G-BMPL, while in flight, sustained damage to the ducted fan and hub assembly and minor airframe damage. The pilot performed a successful forced approach landing: there were no injuries and no further damage to the aircraft. A subsequent investigation discovered cracks resulting from metal fatigue on the fan hub. The manufacturer issued a service bulletin calling for a hub inspection before further flight, and the [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|UK Civil Aviation Authority]] issued a Mandatory Airworthiness Notice (No. 004–05–90). The Optica fan has now been replaced by one designed and manufactured by [[Hoffmann Propeller]].<ref>{{cite book | url=http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/Brooklands%20Aerospace%20Group%20plc%20OA7%20Optica,%20G-BMPL%2010-90.pdf | title=Brooklands Aerospace Group plc OA7 Optica, G-BMPL | author=Air Accidents Investigation Branch | author-link=Air Accidents Investigation Branch | year=1990}}</ref>

== Specifications == [[File:BRITISH PAVILION AT EXPO 86, VANCOUVER, B.C..jpg|thumb|right|An Optica exhibited at the UK pavilion of Canada's [[Expo 86]]]] {{Aircraft specs |ref= Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89<ref name="Janes88-89">Taylor 1988, pp. 294–295</ref> |prime units?=met  |genhide=

|crew=3 |capacity= |length m=8.15 |length ft= |length in= |span m=12.00 |span ft= |span in= |height m=2.31 |height ft= |height in= |wing area sqm=15.84 |wing area sqft= |airfoil=NASA GA(W)-1 |aspect ratio=9.1:1 |empty weight kg=948 |empty weight lb= |max takeoff weight kg=1315 |gross weight lb= |fuel capacity={{convert|250|L|USgal impgal|abbr=on}} useful capacity  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=[[Lycoming O-540|Textron Lycoming IO-540-V4A5D]] |eng1 type=air-cooled [[flat-six]] engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=260

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=213 |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed mach= |cruise speed kmh=130 |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed note=(loiter speed, 40% power) |never exceed speed kmh=259 |stall speed kmh=108 |stall speed note=outboard flaps up |range km=1056 |range miles= |range note=at {{convert|130|km/h|mph kn|abbr=on}} (45-minute reserves) |endurance=8 h (at loiter speed) |ceiling m=4275 |ceiling ft= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=810 |more performance=

|avionics= }}

== See also == {{aircontent |related= |similar aircraft= * [[Abrams P-1 Explorer]], also a twin-boom pusher observation plane * [[Brditschka HB-3|Brdischka HB23 Scanliner]] * [[Heston JC.6]] * [[Seabird Seeker]] |lists= |see also= }}

== References == ===Notes=== {{Reflist}}

===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}} *{{cite magazine |title=Optica—the bug-eyed observer | date =12 May 1979 |magazine=[[Flight International]] |volume=115 |number=3660 |pages=1591–1594 |via =Flightglobal archive |publisher=IPC Business Press |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1979/1979%20-%201661.html}} *{{cite magazine | date = 21 April 1984 | title = Optica enters production |magazine= [[Flight International]] | pages =1111–1114 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1984/1984%20-%200733.html |via=Flightglobal archive }} *{{cite magazine |date=30 August 1986 |title= No cause found for Optica crash|magazine=[[Flight International]] |page=54 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1986/1986%20-%202116.html }} *{{cite book|editor-last=Donald|editor-first=David|title = The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft|year= 1997|publisher = Aerospace Publishing|isbn = 1-85605-375-X}} *{{cite book| editor-last = Taylor| editor-first = J. W. R. |editor-link=John W. R. Taylor| title = Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1988–89 | year = 1988| publisher = Jane's Information Group| location =Coulsdon, Surrey, UK | isbn =0-7106-0867-5 }} {{refend}}

== External links == {{external media | float = right | image1 = [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=G-BMPL&distinct_entry=true (G-BMPL)] | image2 = [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=G-BGMW&distinct_entry=true (G-BGMW)] | image3 = [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=G-BOPN&distinct_entry=true (G-BOPN)] }} *{{Commons category-inline|Edgley Optica}} *[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1980/1980%20-%203800.html Edgley Optica in the air] ''Flight International'' 1980 *[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1985/1985%20-%200741.html Optica Revisited] ''Flight International'' 1985 *[http://www.aeroelvira.co.uk/ AeroElvira] *[http://www.optica.co.uk/ Optica] *{{YouTube | id=iVr3u6E66EM | title=Edgley EA-7 Optica }} (air show flight demonstration and taxiing)

[[Category:1980s British special-purpose aircraft]] [[Category:Edgley aircraft]] [[Category:Ducted fan-powered aircraft]] [[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1979]] [[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear]]