TYPE: Agricultural sprayer.
PROGRAMME: Design began 1977; first flight of prototype (ZK-LTP) 28 February 1979; first flight of production aircraft early 1980; entered service January 1982 as Cresco 08-600; certified in Standard and Restricted categories 9 April 1984. This variant was supplanted by Cresco 08-750 in November 1992. First flight of PT6A-34AG version (ZK-TMN, c/n 010) 18 November 1992.
CURRENT VERSIONS: Cresco 08-600: Initial version, with 447 kW (599 shp) (flat rated) Honeywell LTP 101-600A-1A or -700A (derated to same power) turboprop. First nine aircraft (including prototype) only. No longer available.
Cresco 750: With higher-powered 559 kW (750 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG engine; launched 1992 (first delivery, c/n 010, 23 December) as 08-600-34AG, However, aircraft are registered as 08-600s.
PAC 750XL: Described separately.
CUSTOMERS: Total 39 Crescos built by July 2003. One delivered to Kevron Pty Ltd in Australia during 1998 is used for geophysical exploration. Cresco operators located in New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
COSTS: Approximately US$812,000 (2003).
DESIGN FEATURES: Turboprop development of earlier FU24 with approximately 60 per cent commonality of parts. Primary configuration as agricultural aircraft with appropriate hopper base; can also be used for firefighting. Some employed in sport parachuting, geophysical survey, freight and passenger services.
Wing section NACA 4415 (constant); 8° dihedral on outer wing panels; incidence 2°.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Horn-balanced ailerons, horn-/mass-balanced elevator and rudder; electric elevator trim with manual override; all-moving tailplane with full-span anti-servo tab; ground-adjustable tab on rudder; single-slotted flaps; electrically operated through to 30°; row of vortex generators forward of each aileron.
STRUCTURE: Conventional light alloy; two-spar wing; cockpit area stressed for 25 g impact.
LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable tricycle type; steerable nosewheel. Oleo-pneumatic shock absorption. Cleveland wheels and hydraulic disc brakes on main units. Goodyear tyres, size 8.50-10 (10 ply) on mainwheels, pressure 2.62 bar (38 lb/sq in), nose/tailwheel 8.5-6 (6 ply), pressure 2.07 bar (30 lb/sq in).
POWER PLANT: See Current Versions. Hartzell HC-B3TN-3D/T10282NS+4 three-blade constant-speed, fully feathering, reversible-pitch metal propeller. Four integral fuel tanks in wing centre-section; two coupled tanks totalling 283 litres (74.7 US gallons; 62.3 Imp gallons), of which 218 litres (57.5 US gallons; 48.0 Imp gallons) are usable and two coupled tanks totalling 281 litres (74.2 US gallons; 61.8 Imp gallons) all usable. Total usable fuel 499 litres (132 US gallons; 110 Imp gallons). Ferry configuration capacity 2,400 litres (634 US gallons; 528 Imp gallons) using hopper as auxiliary fuel tank. Four refuelling points in upper surface of each wing. Oil capacity 5.7 litres (1.5 US gallons; 1.25 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Two-seat cockpit with sliding canopy; rear compartment, with port freight door, holds six passengers, equivalent freight or chemical hopper.
SYSTEMS: 24 V DC electric system. Air conditioning optional on 750XL.
EQUIPMENT: 1,893 litre (500 US gallon; 416 Imp gallon) liquid or 1,860 kg (4,100 lb) dry hopper on Cresco versions.