USA
First product (1935) was Pirate three-seat monoplane amphibian, with Menasco Pirate engine. Main use of Menasco engines had previously been in racing aircraft.
Argonaut Aircraft Inc (pres: J Leroy Sutton),
North Tonowanda NY.
USA
c.1938: Acquired by White Aircraft Co, Leroy NY.
Circa 1947, Mike Argandar at Rosemead Airport behind the midget racer he built.
“Mike Argandar” built a midget racer circa 1947 but at age 31, on July 25, 1948 was killed Rosemead Airfield, Rosemead, Los Angeles County, California, United States, in a crash of that plane.
Miguel “Mike Argandar” was born July 25, 1917 at Fracc. Romita, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico, the son of Dr. Luis Argandar Tello and Josefina Macias
“Mike Argandar” built a midget racer circa 1947 but at age 31, on July 25, 1948 was killed Rosemead Airfield, Rosemead, Los Angeles County, California, United States, in a crash of that plane. He was buried at Glendale, Los Angeles, California, United States.
Argentina
Established October 10,1927 as Fabrica Militar de Aviones. In 1928 secured license for Avro Gosport (British biplane trainer) and eventually made 33 for Argentine Air Force. In 1931 made to original designs the first of a number of light single-engined monoplanes (Ao.C.1). On October 20,1943 name became Instituto Aerotfcnico. On January 23,1957 became a State enterprise under the title of Direction Nacional de Fabricaciones e Investigaciones Aeronauticas (DINFIA). Reverted to its original name 1968.
In 1969, production of the Interstate Cadet was resurrected by Bill and Jan Diehl, owners of Arctic Aircraft Co. in Anchorage, Alaska. The one family operation has modified the Cadet to become a lightweight bush plane. Installation of a 150-hp Lycoming engine has markedly increased performance and useful load. Large, high flotation tires permit safe landings on beaches or riverbeds. Construction is of chromoly tubing covered with Dacron. All control cables, brake cables, fuel lines, are completely exposed. The revived Cadet, now dubbed the S2B2, has been certificated for aerobatics, and even snap maneuvers are approved.
Engine: Lycoming 150 hp
Gross wt. 1,900 lb
Empty wt. 1,100 lb
Fuel capacity 40 USG
Top speed: 115 mph
Cruise speed: 110 mph
Stall: 39 mph
Range: 650 mi
Initial climb rate: 1,000 fpm
Takeoff run: 350 ft
A successor to the L6 Grasshopper of WW2, the S.1 BE is a strut-braced high-wing monoplane known as the Arctic Tern, a developed version of the Interstate S.1A, first flown in the 1950s.
The Tern aka Interstate S-1-B2 was 1975 continued production of Interstate L-6 (S-1-B1) revised for bush operations. Tooling and jigs re-acquired by Interstate Co in 1985. (No connection, nor similarity, between this and Rocheville-EMSCO Arctic Tern.)
Interstate S1B2 Tern
Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B, 150 hp.
TBO: 2000 hrs.
Prop: McCauley 2-blade, 72-in.
Length: 24 ft.
Height: 7 ft.
Wingspan: 36.8 ft.
Wing area: 186.2 sq.ft.
Maximum takeoff weight: 1850 lbs.
Standard empty weight: 1075 lbs.
Maximum useful load: 775 lbs.
Maximum landing weight: 1850 lbs.
Wing loading: 9.97 lbs/sq.ft.
Power loading: 12.3 lbs/hp.
Maximum usable fuel: 240 lbs.
Best rate of climb: 1275 @ 60 kts.
Climb gradient: 765 ft/nm.
ROC @ 8000 ft: 820 fpm.
Service ceiling: 19,000 ft.
Maximum speed: 103 kts.
Stalling speed clean: 42 kts.
Stalling speed flaps down: 28 kts.
Turbulent-air penetration speed: 105 kts.
Seats: 2.
Fixed tail wheel under carriage.
First built: 1975.
1980: PO Box 6-141, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
Established at Anchorage, Alaska to build and market as the S.1 BE, a strut-braced high-wing monoplane known as the Arctic Tern, a developed version of the Interstate S.1A, first flown in the 1950s.
A two-seat lightplane, a version of an original Fournier design.
Produces the RF 47 two-seat lightplane as a version of an original Fournier design.
Switzerland
Attempted to design series of single-seat lightweight combat aircraft of low cost from 1977, under the name Piranha, with single or twin turbojet engines.
