Basler BT-67
BT-67 | |
---|---|
A BT-67 of the Guatemalan Air Force | |
Role | Utility aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Basler Turbo Conversions |
First flight | 1990 |
Status | in service |
Produced | 1990–present[1] |
Number built | 68[2] |
Developed from | Douglas DC-3 |
The Basler BT-67 is a utility aircraft produced by Basler Turbo Conversions of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is a remanufactured and modified Douglas C-47 (DC-3); the modifications are designed to significantly extend the DC-3's serviceable lifetime.
Design and development
Basler Turbo Conversions was founded in 1990 solely focused on converting existing C-47 airframes into the BT-67.
Due to the higher fuel consumption of the turbine engines of the BT-67, compared to the original piston designs fitted to the standard DC-3, range on the standard fuel tank, with 45 minute reserve, is reduced from 1,160 to 950 nautical miles (2,150 to 1,760 km). Basler provides a long-range fuel tank which increases the aircraft range to 2,140 nmi (3,960 km).[3]
Gunship version
The Basler BT-67 has a gunship version used by the Colombian Aerospace Force as of 2017[update].[6] The Colombian gunships are equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) ball, enabling the aircraft to conduct effective nighttime missions.[7]
Operators
Military
Civilian
- ALCI Aviation[12]
- North Star Air
- Kenn Borek Air[13]
Accidents and incidents
As of 2019, a total of 15 BT-67 aircraft have been involved in crashes or other incidents since the 1990s.[citation needed]
Specifications (BT-67)
Data from Born Again Basler[18] and Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994–95[19]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two (pilot & co-pilot)
- Capacity: 38 Passengers
- Length: 67 ft 9 in (20.65 m)
- Wingspan: 95 ft 0 in (28.95 m)
- Height: 16 ft 11 in (5.15 m)
- Empty weight: 15,700 lb (7,121 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 28,750 lb (13,041 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines, 1,281 shp (955 kW) each
- Propellers: 5-bladed Hartzell constant speed propellers, 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 285 kn (328 mph, 528 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 210 kn (240 mph, 390 km/h)
- Range: 2,140 nmi (2,460 mi, 3,960 km) with 45 minute reserve and long-range fuel tank
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
See also
Related development
- Douglas DC-3
- Conroy Turbo-Three, a similar turboprop DC-3 conversion.
- Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three, a tri-motor turboprop DC-3 conversion.
Related lists
References
- ^ a b "History".
- ^ "DC-3 News".
- ^ a b "Power and Performance". Archived from the original on 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
- ^ "BT-67 Worldwide".
- ^ Spaeth, Andreas (February 2023). "Making old new again: Reinventing the legendary Douglas DC 3". AEROREPORT. MTU Aero Engines. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "Aeronave AC47 Fantasma culmina fase de inspección mayor en CAMAN". Colombian Air Force. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- ^ "Colombia's AC-47T Fantasmas Are Still Going Strong". War Is Boring. 3 October 2016. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal Insight. 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ Rivas 2015, p. 120.
- ^ Hoyle 2015, p. 37.
- ^ "Basler BT-67 aircraft". Australian Antarctic Division. Archived from the original on 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
- ^ Charter flights page for Enterprise Aviation Group operated by ALCI Aviation
- ^ "Air Fleet page at Kenn Borek Air". Archived from the original on 2011-03-16. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ "China to facilitate aviation support in Antarctic research expeditions". Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- ^ "China to deploy aircraft in Antarctica expedition". Xinhua. September 25, 2015. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- ^ Ehemalige Flugzeuge Archived 11 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine (in German) Alfred Wegener Institute – Former airplanes, accessed: 18 April 2009
- ^ "As civilian, reservist 'leads' in fight against forest fires". arpc.afrc.af.mil. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ Flight International 24–30 April 1991, p. 42.
- ^ Michell 1994, pp. 245–246.
- "Born Again Basler". Flight International. Vol. 139, no. 4264. 24–30 April 1991. pp. 40–43. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017.
- Hoyle, Craig (8–14 December 2015). "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 188, no. 5517. pp. 26–53. ISSN 0015-3710.
- Michell, Simon (1994). Jane's Civil and Military Upgrades 1994–95. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.
- Rivas, Santiago (October 2015). "Fighting Colombia's Drug War". ISSN 0306-5634.