North American / Ryan Navion

The Ryan Navion is a single-engine, unpressurized, retractable gear, four-seat aircraft originally designed and built by North American Aviation in the 1940s.

It was later built by Ryan Aeronautical Company and the Tubular Steel Corporation (TUSCO).

Variants

North American NA-143

Two prototypes.

North American NA-145 Navion

North-American-built production aircraft, 1,027 built.

Military Versions

L-17A

Military designation for NA-154s delivered to the United States Army, 83 built, re-designated U-18A in 1962.

QL-17A

Six L-17As modified by TEMCO as remote-controlled drones for the United States Air Force.

L-17B

Military designation for Ryan-built Navion As delivered to the U.S.Army, 163 built, re-designated U-18B in 1962.

L-17C

L-17As modified by Ryan with improved brakes and increased fuel capacity, 35 modified, re-designated U-18C in 1962.

XL-17D

Three former XL-22As for evaluation.

XL-22A

Two Ryan-built Navion Bs for the U.S.Army, re-designated XL-17D.

U-18A

Former L-17As re-designated in 1962.

U-18B

Former L-17Bs re-designated in 1962.

U-18C

Former L-17Cs re-designated in 1962.

Specifications

Crew

1

Capacity

3 passengers

Length

27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)

Wingspan

33 ft 5 in (10.19 m)

Height

8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)

Wing area

184 sq ft (17.1 m2)

Empty weight

1,930 lb (875 kg)

Gross weight

2,850 lb (1,293 kg)

Fuel capacity

40 US gal (33 imp gal; 150 L)

Powerplant

1 × Lycoming GO-435-C2 air-cooled flat-six engine, 260 hp (190 kW) (take-off power)

Performance

Maximum speed

174 mph (280 km/h, 151 kn)

Cruise speed

170 mph (270 km/h, 150 kn)

Range

595 mi (958 km, 517 nmi)

Service ceiling

18,000 ft (5,500 m)

Rate of climb

1,250 ft/min (6.4 m/s)

Take-off run

400 ft (120 m)

Landing run

468 ft (143 m).