Curtiss-Wright CA-1
# Curtiss-Wright CA-1

The Curtiss CA-1 (sometimes known as the Commuter or the Courtney Amphibian) was an American five-seat biplane amphibian designed by Frank Courtney and built by Curtiss-Wright at St Louis, Missouri.

## Design and development

Designed by the British test pilot Frank Courtney, the CA-1 was a five-seat amphibian. The CA-1 was powered by a 365 hp (272 kW) Wright 975E-1 radial, cowled and fitted into the leading edge of the top wing driving - through an extension shaft - a pusher propeller. It had a tricycle amphibian landing gear and an enclosed cabin for the pilot and passengers. Only three aircraft were built and they were all sold in Japan, designated Curtiss-Wright LXC (Navy Experimental Type C Amphibious Transport) by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service.

## Specifications

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947

General characteristics

* Crew: one
* Capacity: four passengers 240 lb (110 kg) baggage
* Length: 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m)
* Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
* Height: 12 ft (3.7 m)
* Airfoil: NACA 2412
* Empty weight: 2,980 lb (1,352 kg)
* Gross weight: 4,650 lb (2,109 kg)
* Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-975E-1 Whirlwind 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 365 hp (272 kW)
* Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch pusher propeller

Performance

* Maximum speed: 151 mph (243 km/h, 131 kn)
* Cruise speed: 125 mph (201 km/h, 109 kn)
* Stall speed: 60 mph (97 km/h, 52 kn)
* Range: 550 mi (890 km, 480 nmi)
* Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
* Rate of climb: 835 ft/min (4.24 m/s)
