The T-18 is a two-place all-metal homebuilt aircraft designed in 1963 by John Thorp . Engines commonly used run from the 115 hp Lycoming O-235 to the 180 hp Lycoming IO-360 . Intended to be easily constructed from sheets of aluminum, the T-18 is both durable and capable of high performance, cruising at up to 180 mph.

The T-18 was the first homebuilt to make use of a stabilator or "flying tail", an invention of John Thorp used on most low-wing Piper aircraft, beginning with the Cherokee.

T-18 plans are currently available to builders from Eklund Engineering , which is also developing a laser-cut kit version.

Specifications (T-18 with O-290)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Capacity: 1 passenger
• Length: 18 ft 11 in (5.77 m)
• Wingspan: 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m)
• Height: 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m)
• Wing area: 86 ft² (8 m²)
• Empty: 900 lb (409 kg)
• Loaded: 1,500lb (682 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
• Powerplant: 1x Lycoming O-290 , 125 hp (93 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 210 mph (131 km/h)
• Range: miles ( km)
• Service ceiling: ft ( m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: 18.6 lb/ft² (85 kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: 0.08 hp/lb (0.14 kW/kg)

Related content

Related development: Thorp T-211

Comparable aircraft: Vans RV-4 - Glasair III -

Designation sequence: