The distinctive Knight Twister
is the oldest aircraft design offered by Steen Aero Lab and has
quite an interesting history dating back to the late 1920s.
Launched in 1928 by Vernon Payne as a way to liven up an aircraft
design class he was teaching, the design draws heavily upon NACA
aerodynamic research.
The Knight Twister in any version is a true
thoroughbred. While it is not like the average trainer in control
response, the fact is that the design simply doesn't need to be
horsed around the sky. It is the kind of plane that thrives on
smooth control inputs, and in return she will reward the pilot with
smooth, perfectly-balanced performance. Properly-built Twisters tend
to be very straightforward and easy to fly airplane with excellent
performance, which give great enjoyment to their pilots.
Construction methods are conventional. The
fully-cantilever wing and tail surface construction is mostly of
plywood (it's too small to use a built-up truss structure
efficiently) while the fuselage is built of welded steel tubing. The
wings are fully cantilever and stressed to 7-9 Gs (depending upon
the version) though the addition of flying wires raises the strength
somewhat. Since the first flight with a 45 horsepower radial engine
in 1929, the Twister has gone through at least eleven different
versions and probably around 75 have been completed. The popular
KT85 version appeared after World War Two and this lead to the
versions available today: the "Imperial", "Holiday", "Acro" and the
two-place "Coed". Power options range from 85 hp to 150 hp.
Coed
specifications
powerplant
propeller
length
height
wing span
wing area
seats
empty weight
useful load
gross weight
fuel capacity
range |
Lycoming HP Range 108/85-160
x
13.5ft
5ft
15.5ft
55sq. ft
1/2
517lb
x
865lb
20gal
610n.m |
performance
takeoff distance,
ground roll
rate of climb
max speed
cruise speed
landing distance, ground roll
service ceiling |
400ft
1800fpm
180mph
165mph
800ft
x |
limiting and recommended speeds
design manoeuvring speed (Va)
never exceed speed (Vne)
stall, power off (Vsl)
landing approach speed |
x
x
55mph
x |
All specifications are based on manufacturer's
calculations
|