Sud Ouest Aviation/Sud Est-SNIAS SN-600 "Corvette"
Aerospatiale "Corvette"
The middle-sized multipurpose aircraft SN-600 was designed by Aérospatiale at the end of the 1960s. It was conceived to be an light transporter as well as a passenger aircraft. The passenger version could carry between 6 and 14 passengers. As an ambulance aircraft, three stretchers and two seats were available. The volume able to be maintained by the cargo version was 10 cubic meters.
The prototype started on its initial flight on July 16, 1970. The first series aircrafts were delivered in September 1974. After 40 copies were constructed, production ceased in 1978 due to limited demand. The SN-600's goal was to publicly come onto the market sector, however, this was hotly disputed on the international level. Despite its preferences, the small two-engined jet could not be engineered.
The test flights of the middle-sized commercial aircraft named SN-600 were suddenly interrupted after 270 flight hours. The aircraft equipped with two Pratt & Whitney engines, model JT15D-1 with 998 kp thrust each crashed in March 1971. By December 20, 1972 there replaced by an improved aircraft of the first series SN-601 which was known as the "Corvette" after its test flights. The series version had performance-powered JT 15D-4 engines with 1,134 kp thrust each. The fuselage was expanded and the larger tanks were brought to the rear of the aircraft.
The second series version, the SN-602, was equipped with stronger engines of 12,300 N thrust each, however, they were never completed in production since only 36 machines of the SN-601 could be purchased.
The fuselage of the "Corvette" model possessed a circular cross-section and was constructed out of metal in a half-shell shape. Located to the rear of the aircraft was an entrance door with built-in stairs. The cantilever aircraft was constructed completely out of metal which included the wings, the dual landing gear, the hydraulic air brakes on both the upper and undersides, and the pneumatic defroster. The empennage was a cantilever and completed out of metal as well. The upper empennage was attached to the fins so that the gas of both Pratt & Whitney Turbo fan engines could be expelled. The engines were encased on both sides of the rear fuselage. The "Corvette" operated with electrically adjustable upper fins and trimming valves were on all rudders. The retractable undercarriage or chassis possessed low pressure tires and anti-block equipment. The nose wheel was easy to steer.
The inner room of the "Corvette" made it possible for the passengers as well as the crew to enjoy the flight deck and a pleasant, climatized, enjoyable trip. Blind flight instruments were part of the standard configuration during which the avionics system could be installed according to the desire of the customer.
Technical data
Aérospatiale SN 601 Corvette
| Type | Light transport, travel and small commecial aircraft |
| Manufacturer: | SNIAS (Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale) |
| Power plant | two JT15D-4 Turbofan engines by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada with 1,134 kg thrust each (11.1 kN) |
| Year of construction | Development by 1970; series by 1974 |
| Performance | |
| Top speed | 760 km/h at an altitude of 9,145 m |
| Economical travel speed | 586 km/h |
| Starting runway distance | 420 m |
| Rate of climb | 23.9 m/s |
| High altitude | 12,500 m |
| Operational range |
2555 km with a max. fuel consumption and reserve for 45 flight minutes; 1,555 km with 12 passengers on board and 45 minutes reserve; 1,220 km with the highest useful load. |
| Empty weight | 3,510 kg |
| Departure weight | 6,600 kg |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 12.87 m |
| Length | 13.83 m |
| Height | 4.23 m |
| Wing span area | 22 qm |
| Wing distance | 7.4 |
| Passenger capacity | 6-14 passengers |
| Crew | 2 persons |
| Production quantity | 40 copies |
