Piasecki 16H Pathfinder

Not to be confused with Piasecki H-16 Transporter.

The Piasecki 16H was a series of compound helicopters produced in the 1960s. The first version of the Pathfinder, the -1 version, first flew in 1962. The similar but larger Pathfinder II, the 16H-1A, was completed in 1965.

16H Pathfinder
Piasecki 16H-1 Pathfinder
General information
Type	Experimental high-speed helicopter
Manufacturer	Piasecki Aircraft
Primary user	United States Army
History
First flight	21 February 1962 (16H-1) 15 November 1965 (16H-1A)[1]

Variants

Model 16H-1 Pathfinder

one PWC PT6B-2 with one 405 shp turboshaft engine

Model 16H-1A Pathfinder II

larger version with one 1,250 shp (930 kW) T58-GE-8

Model 16H-1C Pathfinder III

proposed conversion of the 16H-1A with one 1,500 shp (1,100 kW) T58-GE-5 ^[2]

Model 16H-3J

nine-seat development, not built.

Specifications (16H-1A)

Piasecki's 16H-1A Pathfinder II

Data from U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947^[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: two pilots
• Capacity: up to six passengers
• Length: 37 ft 3 in (11.4 m)
• Wingspan: 32 ft 10 in (10.0 m)
• Height: 11 ft 4 in (3.45 m)
• Empty weight: 4,800 lb (2,165 kg)
• Gross weight: 10,800 lb (4,870 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × General Electric T58-GE-8 turboshaft , 1,250 hp (930 kW)
• Main rotor diameter: 44 ft 0 in (13.4 m)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 230 mph (370 km/h, 200 kn)
• Cruise speed: 175 mph (280 km/h, 152 kn)
• Range: 950 mi (1,530 km, 830 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 18,700 ft (5,700 m)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Piasecki X-49
• VFW-Fokker H3 Sprinter

Related lists

• List of rotorcraft