Engineering:Basler BT-67

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Short description: Douglas DC-3 modified with turboprop engines
BT-67
B.L2k-09 47 (46159) (25092318687).jpg
A BT-67 of the Royal Thai 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.[1] Basler custom configures each new build to the client's specifications. Industries served include cargo, military, cloudseeding, scientific research, and various other applications.[3][4] The conversion includes fitting the airframe with new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines,[5] lengthening the fuselage, strengthening the airframe, upgrading the avionics, and making modifications to the wing leading edges and wingtips.

Due to the slightly 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).[6] The Colombian gunships are equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) ball, enabling the aircraft to conduct effective nighttime missions.[7]

Operators

A BT-67 with the Guatemalan Air Force
Basler BT-67 conversion No.1, N200AN of World Air Logistics, at Missoula Montana in 2000

Military

 Colombia
  • Colombian Aerospace Force[8]
  • National Police of Colombia[9]
 El Salvador
 Guatemala
 Mali
 Mauritania
  • Mauritanian Air Force[8]
 Thailand

Civilian

 Australia
  • Australian Antarctic Division[11]
    A BT-67 operated by Enterprise Aviation Group at Oshawa Executive Airport
 Canada
  • ALCI Aviation[12]
  • North Star Air
  • Kenn Borek Air[13]
 China
 Germany
  • Alfred Wegener Institute[16]
 United States
  • United States Forest Service[17]

Accidents and incidents

As of 2019, a total of 15 BT-67 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

  • That's All, Brother

Related development

Related lists

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "History". https://www.baslerturbo.com/history.html. 
  2. ↑ "DC-3 News". http://www.proplinerinfoexchange.com/1-dc-3_news.htm. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Power and Performance". http://www.baslerturbo.com/power-and-performance.html. 
  4. ↑ "BT-67 Worldwide". https://www.baslerturbo.com/bt-67-worldwide.html. 
  5. ↑ Spaeth, Andreas (February 2023). "Making old new again: Reinventing the legendary Douglas DC 3". MTU Aero Engines. https://aeroreport.de/en/aviation/making-old-new-again-reinventing-the-legendary-douglas-dc-3. 
  6. ↑ "Aeronave AC47 Fantasma culmina fase de inspección mayor en CAMAN". Colombian Air Force. https://www.fac.mil.co/aeronave-ac47-fantasma-culmina-fase-de-inspecci%C3%B3n-mayor-en-caman-1. 
  7. ↑ "Colombia's AC-47T Fantasmas Are Still Going Strong". 3 October 2016. https://warisboring.com/colombias-ac-47t-fantasmas-are-still-going-strong/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal Insight. 2022. https://www.flightglobal.com/flight-international/how-afghanistans-fall-reshaped-world-air-forces-inventory/146576.article. Retrieved 15 April 2022. 
  9. ↑ Rivas 2015, p. 120.
  10. ↑ Hoyle 2015, p. 37.
  11. ↑ "Basler BT-67 aircraft". Australian Antarctic Division. http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/travel-and-logistics/aviation/intracontinental-operations/basler-bt-67-aircraft. 
  12. ↑ Charter flights page for Enterprise Aviation Group operated by ALCI Aviation
  13. ↑ "Air Fleet page at Kenn Borek Air". http://www.borekair.com/index.php/our-fleet. 
  14. ↑ "China to facilitate aviation support in Antarctic research expeditions". http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-09/26/c_131160781.htm. 
  15. ↑ "China to deploy aircraft in Antarctica expedition". Xinhua. September 25, 2015. http://www.china.org.cn/china/2015-09/25/content_36682868.htm. 
  16. ↑ Ehemalige Flugzeuge (in German) Alfred Wegener Institute – Former airplanes, accessed: 18 April 2009
  17. ↑ "As civilian, reservist 'leads' in fight against forest fires". arpc.afrc.af.mil. https://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/617903/as-civilian-reservist-leads-in-fight-against-forest-fires/. Retrieved 15 April 2022. 
  18. ↑ Flight International 24–30 April 1991, p. 42.
  19. ↑ Michell 1994, pp. 245–246.

External links



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