HAL HUL-26 Pushpak

HUL-26 Pushpak
HUL-26 Pushpak displayed at HAL Museum
General information
Type	Two-seat cabin monoplane
Manufacturer	Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Primary users	Aero clubs Private pilot owners
Number built	160+
History
First flight	1958
Developed from	Aeronca Chief
Developed into	HAL HAOP-27 Krishak

The Hindustan HUL-26 Pushpak (lit. 'Flower')¹ was a 1950s Indian two-seat cabin monoplane designed and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, based on the Aeronca Chief.²

The Pushpak was a high-wing braced monoplane with a fixed tailwheel landing gear.² The fuselage was built from metal tubing, the wing aluminum ribs on a wooden spar, all covered in fabric.² The Pushpak first flew on 28 September 1958 and was powered by a 90 hp (67 kW) Continental flat-four engine.²

Around 160 aircraft were produced for Indian flying clubs for use as basic trainers.² Two examples were gifted to Malaysia and were later sold to private pilot owners in the United Kingdom. These examples remained in active operation in 2013.³

 India

 Malaysia

 United Kingdom

 Sri Lanka

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66⁴

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 6.40 m (21 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 10.97 m (36 ft 0 in)
• Height: 2.77 m (9 ft 1 in)
• Wing area: 16.2 m² (174 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 395 kg (871 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 613 kg (1,351 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 56 L (12 imp gal; 15 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental C90-8F air-cooled flat-four, 67 kW (90 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 144 km/h (89 mph, 78 kn)
• Cruise speed: 112 km/h (70 mph, 60 kn)
• Range: 400 km (250 mi, 220 nmi)
• Endurance: 3 hr
• Service ceiling: 4,270 m (14,000 ft)
• Rate of climb: 2.5 m/s (500 ft/min)