U-10 Courier - Definition and Overview

The Helio Courier is a light STOL utility transport aircraft designed in 1949. With a stall speed of around 25 mph, the Courier was perfectly suited for tight operations. The Super Courier, an up-engined derivative, was used by the US Air Force from 1958 onward, and by Air America during the Vietnam War. In USAF service, the U-10 Super Courier was used for liaison work, light cargo and supply drops, psychological warfare, forward air controller, and reconnaissance. Various versions were produced up through the 1980s, including turbine-powered variants. Hundreds are still in use today as bush planes and light transports.

Specifications (U-10D Super Courier)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: 5 passengers
• Length: 30 ft 8 in (9.35 m)
• Wingspan: 39 ft 0 in (11.89 m)
• Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m)
• Wing area: ft² ( m²)
• Empty: lb ( kg)
• Loaded: 3,600 lb (1,636 kg)
• Useful load: lb ( kg)
• Powerplant: 1 Lycoming GO-480 geared six-cylinder engine, 295 hp (220 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 180 mph (288 km/h)
• Range: 1,100 miles (1,760 km)
• Service ceiling: 20,500 ft (6,250 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading:
• Power/Mass:

External links:

• USAF Museum (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/modern_flight/mf28.htm)
• Modern aerial photography Courier operator (http://www.chamoismoon.com/helio_courier.html)
• heliocourier.net

Related content

Related development: Helio Twin Courier

Comparable aircraft: Murphy Moose - Max Holste M.H. 1521 Broussard - De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter

Designation sequence (pre-1962): L-20 - L-21 - L-23 - L-24 - L-25 - L-26 - L-27 - L-28

Designation sequence (post-1962): U-7 - U-8 - U-9 - U-10 - U-11 - U-16 - U-17