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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Pitcairn-Cierva PCA-2

Hours and Location

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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Pitcairn-Cierva PCA-2

Pitcairn-Cierva PCA-2

Highlights:

  • An autogyro, a cousin of the helicopter kept aloft by a rotor which rotated freely, made by Pitcairn-Cierva Autogyro Company in the U.S. around 1931-32.
  • Developed by American Harold Pitcairn, who based his models on the autogyros designed by Spain's Juan de la Cierva in the 1920s
  • In 1931, it became the first rotary-wing aircraft certified for commercial use in the U.S. and first rotary-wing aircraft registered in Canada (imported by Fairchild Aircraft Company of Longueuil, Quebec)
  • A Canadian PCA-2 was flown by Fairchild's pilot Godfrey Dean at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, when he made the first ever loop-the-loop in a rotary-wing aircraft, in September 1931
  • First flight was in March 1930

Image Gallery:

CASM-11043

CASM-11043

CASM-11231

CASM-11231

History:

The first Pitcairn-Cierva autogyro PCA-1 flew in 1929, soon followed by the much improved PCA-2. In April 1931, the PCA-2 became the first rotary-winged aircraft certified for commercial use in the United States. The 24 PCA-2s built for the US Navy, were designated XOP. Fairchild soon imported a PCA-2 as the first rotary-winged aircraft registered in Canada. Interest in autogyros declined due to their high cost, mechanical inefficiency, high fuel consumption, and inferiority to the helicopter.

The autogyro is a rotary-winged aircraft. Unlike the helicopter, the rotor is not powered, but rotate as a result of the forward motion of the aircraft. Consequently the autogyro cannot hover, but instead can climb and descend almost vertically, as well as land and take-off with a very short run. Before take-off in early autogyros, someone on the ground would have to spin the rotor. The pilot then taxied on the ground to rotate the rotor up to take-off speed. The rotor of the PCA-2 could be “pre-spun” by a drive-shaft from the engine. A Canadian PCA-2 made the first loop by a rotary-winged aircraft.

Current Location:

Reserve Hangar, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Purchase

This aircraft was manufactured in the United States in 1931. It was used by the Standard Oil Company of New York for testing until it was sold to the Sealed Products Corporation. This company used it for tests and for advertising. In 1932, it flew 96,000 kilometres to visit 225 cities in twenty-two states and Mexico to promote the company's products. Details of ownership between 1935 and 1946 are unknown. Sometime during the 1930s, its original 300 hp Wright R-975 engine was replaced by a 420 hp R-975-E2, changing its model designation from a PCA-2 to a PA-21. The Museum purchased the aircraft from the Connecticut Aviation Historical Association in 1969.

Technical Information:

Wing Span 9.1 m (30 ft)
Rotor diameter 13.7 m (45 ft)
Length 7 m (23 ft 1 in)
Height 4 m (13 ft)
Weight, Empty 920 kg (2,030 lb)
Weight, Gross 1,360 kg (3,000 lb)
Cruising Speed 158 km/h (98 mph)
Max Speed 190 km/h (118 mph)
Rate of Climb 244 m (800 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 4,570 m (15,000 ft)
Range Unknown
Power Plant one Wright R-975-E2 Whirlwind, 420 hp, radial engine

Pitcairn-Cierva PCA-2 plan

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1968.0064
Manufacturer
Pitcairn Aircraft Inc.
Manufacturer Location
United States
Manufacture Date
1931
Acquisition Date
1969
Registration Number
NC2524 (USA)
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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
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Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy