Lockwood Aircam

{{Short description|American kit aircraft}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Use American English|date=July 2023}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Lockwood Aircam | logo = | logo_size = | image = AircamAircamN3251E.jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[Homebuilt aircraft|Kit aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[United States]] | manufacturer = [[Lockwood Aircraft]] | design_group = | designer = Phil Lockwood | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 250 (2019)<ref name=AOPA/> | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = 1995-present | introduction = 1995 | retired = | first_flight = 1995 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = [[Lockwood Drifter]] | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} [[File:AircamAtLeadville.jpg|thumb|right|Aircam at [[Lake County Airport (Colorado)]], highest airport in the U.S.]] [[File:LezaLockwoodAirCamTwinRotax912SEngines.jpg|thumb|right|Pusher engine installation of two [[Rotax 912ULS]]s in a Lockwood Aircam]] The '''Lockwood Aircam''' (also called the '''Air Cam''' and '''AirCam''') is a high-wing, twin engine [[pusher configuration]] aircraft with [[conventional landing gear]], based on the single engine [[Lockwood Drifter]] and sold in [[homebuilt aircraft|kit]] form by [[Lockwood Aircraft]]. The open-cockpit aircraft seats two in [[tandem]]. As of 2019, 250 Aircams were licensed and flying.<ref name=AOPA/> In 2019, a complete kit with Rotax 912ULS engines, less instruments, paint, shipping and crating was priced at [[United States dollar|US$]]128,990.<ref name=Lockwood>[http://www.aircam.com/ Lockwood Aircraft Corporation's Aircam Site]</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec2007">Downey, Julia: ''2008 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 60. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref><ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 108. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="WDLA15">Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 114. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref>

==Design and development== The first [[prototype]] Aircam was built in 1995. Designed by Phil Lockwood, founder of Lockwood Aircraft, it was built for the [[National Geographic Society]] for research and photography in the [[Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park|Ndoki Rain Forest]] in the northern [[Congo Basin]]. It was built to fly low and slow and to provide a wide, unobstructed view, with the additional security of a second engine. The design has since been improved while retaining the same layout.<ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="WDLA15"/><ref>[http://www.avweb.com/news/newacft/182373-1.html Air Cam: Low and Slow Is No Sweat in This Two-Seat Twin]</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec1998">Kitplanes Staff: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 54. Primedia Publications. IPM 0462012</ref>

The initial version, produced by [[Leza-Lockwood Corporation]], was powered by twin [[Rotax 582]] powerplants of {{convert|64|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} each. Twin {{convert|80|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 912]] and {{convert|115|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Rotax 914|914]] engines were optional. Later, the 582 was eliminated, the 912 engine became standard and Leza-Lockwood's name was changed to Lockwood.<ref name="WDLA11" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 196. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref> In 2015, an optional bubble canopy kit was introduced.<ref name="Full Enclosure">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aircam.com/media-and-news/news/aircam-news/full-enclosure-is-a-reality|title = Full Enclosure is a Reality|accessdate = 17 April 2018|last = [[Lockwood Aircraft]] }}</ref> The aircraft can also be configured with floats to become amphibious.<ref name="AirCam on Ambphibs">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aircam.com/media-and-news/news/aircam-news/aircam-on-amphibs-2180-all-electric-clamar-floats|title = AirCam on Amphibs - 2180 All Electric Clamar Floats|accessdate = 17 April 2018|last = [[Lockwood Aircraft]] }}</ref>

The Aircam was designed to be able to take off on one engine if needed, and the positioning of the engines close to the centerline contributes to this capability as well as its benign single engine handling.<ref name="KitplanesDec1998" /><ref name="Aerocrafter" />

The Aircam has a landing roll of 300 feet and a takeoff roll of under 200 feet.<ref name="Specs">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aircam.com/specifications|title = AirCam Specifications|accessdate = 6 April 2017|last = [[Lockwood Aircraft]] }}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents== The United States [[National Transportation Safety Board]] (NTSB) lists eight accidents involving Aircams between 1993 and February 2010. In these eight accidents, there was one fatality, one serious injury, one minor injury and seven people uninjured.<ref>[https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/index.aspx NTSB Accident Database and Synopses]</ref>

[[Jack Roush]] of [[NASCAR]] team Roush Fenway Racing nearly lost his life after the Aircam he was flying struck a power line and sank in a lake near [[Troy, Alabama]] in April 2002. He was saved in a dramatic rescue by retired U.S. Marine Larry Hicks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=11738|title= Jack Roush Injured in Private Plane Crash | date=10 April 2002|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100801201612/http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=11738 |archivedate = 1 August 2010}}</ref>

==Specifications (Aircam)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Lockwood Aircraft website<ref name="Specs" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=100 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=39 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=110 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed mph= |minimum control speed kts= |minimum control speed note= |range km= |range miles=340 |range nmi= |range note=at 70 mph (113 km/h) |endurance=6 hours |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1500 |climb rate note=on both engines, 300 fpm on one engine |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= *[[Blue Yonder Twin Engine EZ Flyer]] |lists= }}

==References== {{reflist|30em|refs= <ref name=AOPA> {{Cite web| url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/march/28/aircam-adds-third-seat | title = AirCam beefs up, more power, higher gross weight, three seats | website = AOPA | author = Dave Hirschman | date = March 28, 2019 }}</ref> }}

==External links== {{commons category|Lockwood Aircam}} *{{Official website|http://www.aircam.com/}} *[https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/experimentals/the-aircam-experience/ The AirCam Experience by Paul Dye, AVweb]

[[Category:1990s United States civil utility aircraft]] [[Category:Twin-engined pusher aircraft]] [[Category:Parasol-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1995]]