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Aérospatiale N 262

From Alfawiki
Aérospatiale N 262
Company typeAircraft model
IndustryAerospace
PredecessorMax Holste MH.260 Super Broussard
Founded1962
FounderNord Aviation (development continuation from Max Holste)
Headquarters
France
ProductsRegional airliner

The Aérospatiale N 262 is a French-built, twin-turboprop, high-wing airliner originally manufactured by Nord Aviation—which merged into Aérospatiale in 1970—and is also referred to as the Nord 262.

Design and development

The development of a twin-engine utility transport to succeed the Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain began in 1957 under Max Holste. The MH.250 Super Broussard prototype, powered by Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engines, took to the skies for the first time on 20 May 1959. Following this, a turboprop variant, the MH.260, conducted its maiden flight on 29 July 1960. In 1959, Nord Aviation, a state-owned company, agreed to assist in marketing and manufacturing the MH.260. However, due to financial difficulties faced by Max Holste, Nord Aviation assumed full control of the project, advancing its development as Max Holste redirected efforts toward light aircraft production under Reims Aviation.

Although nine MH.260 units were constructed, they failed to attract commercial customers. Nord Aviation revamped the design by integrating a pressurized cabin and ensuring compliance with U.S. airworthiness standards, culminating in the creation of the Nord 262. This aircraft was a high-wing cantilever monoplane made entirely of metal, featuring two Turbomeca Bastan turboprop engines, retractable tricycle landing gear with fairings attached to the fuselage, and a circular fuselage cross-section typically configured to seat 26 passengers, with a maximum capacity of 29.

The initial prototype of this redesigned model flew on 24 December 1962 and was subsequently presented at the Paris Air Show in June 1963. It achieved French airworthiness certification on 16 July 1964 and commenced commercial operations with Air Inter in September that year.

Four primary variants—262A, B, C, and D—were developed: the A and B models were powered by Bastan IVC engines; while starting in July 1968, the C and D versions featured more powerful Bastan VIIC engines. The majority of sales were directed toward military users rather than civilian airlines; among these, the widely favored 262D was marketed under the name Frégate.

The American adaptation known as the "Mohawk 298" was a modified version of the Nord 262 fitted with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprop engines. Its first flight occurred on 7 January 1975 to satisfy U.S. FAR 298 regulatory requirements. This conversion was managed by Mohawk Air Services and executed by Frakes Aviation, with Allegheny Airlines serving as its initial operator.

Joel Krane, chairman of the Flight Operations Evaluation Board (FOEB), verified that pilots could operate both Nord 262 and Mohawk 298 variants under a single type rating, necessitating only differences training for transitions between models.

Variants

Max Holste MH.250 Super Broussard
Seventeen-seat prototype transport that first flew in 1959.
Max Holste MH.260 Super Broussard
Production version seating 23 passengers based on the MH.250; ten units were ordered but not completed prior to transfer of development to Nord Aviation.
N 262
Prototype and early production model.
N 262A
Initial standard production variant (preceding N 262B), powered by Turbomeca Bastan VIC engines; certified in March 1965 with first delivery to Lake Central Airlines in August of that year.
N 262B
First production batch built for Air Inter, equipped with Bastan VIC turboprops; four units constructed, first flight in June 1964, certification in July 1964, and deliveries began July 1964.
N 262C Frégate
Variant featuring Bastan VIIC engines along with an extended wingspan.
N 262D Frégate
Version operated by the French Air Force based on the N-262C model.
N 262E
Maritime patrol and training configuration utilized by the Aviation navale (French Navy).
Mohawk 298
Nine aircraft upgraded by Frakes Aviation for Allegheny Airlines between 1975 and 1978; fitted with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 powerplants and five-blade propellers.

Operators

As of July 2011, three Nord 262 airplanes continue to operate commercially with the following carriers:

  • Equatorial International Airlines (1 aircraft)
  • International Trans Air Business (1 aircraft)
  • RACSA (1 aircraft)

Previous operators

Military users

Bibliography

  • Chillon, Jacques; Dubois, Jean-Pierre; Wegg, John. French Post-War Transport Aircraft. Air-Britain, 1980.
  • Stroud, John. European Transport Aircraft since 1910. Putnam, 1966.
  • Taylor, John W. R., ed. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–1966. Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965.
  • Taylor, John W. R., ed. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971–1972. Jane's Yearbooks, 1971.
  • Taylor, John W. R., ed. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–1977. Jane's Yearbooks, 1976.

External links

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