Aérospatiale N 262

Aérospatiale N 262

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N 262 / Frégate

262A of the Centre d'Essais en Vol in 1981
Role	Turboprop airliner
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Aérospatiale
First flight	MH.250: 20 May 1959 N 262: 24 December 1962
Introduction	1964
Primary users	French Air Force French Navy Allegheny Airlines
Produced	1962-1976
Number built	110

The Aérospatiale N 262 was a French twin-prop high-wing airliner built first by Nord Aviation (merged into Aérospatiale in 1970).

Design and development

Originally designed to replace the Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain, the prototype utility transport aircraft was designated by Max Holste and designated the Max Holste MH.250 Super Broussard it first flew on 20 May 1959. The initial design had the aircraft rather square in shape, and fitted Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engines to the aircraft. The second prototype, known as the MH.260, was equipped with Turbomeca Bastan turboprop engines and eventually took its flight just over a year later on 29 July 1960.

Eventually, wholly state-owned Nord Aviation (later renamed Aérospatiale) took over the further development of the aircraft. The new changes that Nord brought to the aircraft were a rounded, pressurized cabin and the new name Nord 262. The new cabin design enabled the aircraft to carry between 24-26 passengers.

The first prototype since the changes by Nord took to the skies for the first time on 24 December 1962. The aircraft received its certificate on 16 July 1964 and entered its initial commercial service with Air Inter of France.

Four of the first aircraft 262A, 262B, 262C, and 262D were built, the first two fitted with Bastan IVC engines, while the C and D models were fitted with the higher powered Bastan VIIC. Of these four aircraft, the latter two saw their first air time in July 1968. Most sales of the initial aircraft were not in the passenger field, but rather the military field. The 262D was the most popular and known as Frégate to the Armée de I'Air.

As for the American designation, the "Mohawk 298" airplanes were modified Nord 262s and first flew on 7 January 1975, equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprops. Built in order to meet United States FAR 298 regulation, the modification of the aircraft was overseen by Mohawk Air Services and outsourced to Frakes Aviation. Allegheny Airlines was the initial operator of the aircraft.

Joel M. Krane, the chairman of the FOEB (Flight Operations Evaluation Board) determined that a common type rating could be issued for the Nord 262 and Mohawk 298. Appropriate differences training would be required for transitioning pilots.

Variants

N262E of the Aviation navale, at the Nîmes-Garons' French Navy base

Max Holste MH.250 Super Broussard: Prototype 17-seat transport first flown in 1959.
Max Holste MH.260: Production variant of the MH.250, ten ordered but not completed before development handed over to Nord Aviation.
N 262: Prototypes and initial production version
N 262A: Main production version with Turbomeca Bastan VIC engines
N 262B: four special orders for Air Inter
N 262C Frégate: Bastan VIIC engines and greater wingspan
N 262D Frégate: French Air Force version of N-262C
N 262E: A maritime patrol and training version used by the Aviation navale (French Navy).
Mohawk 298: Nine aircraft updated by Frakes Aviation for Allegheny Airlines between 1975 and 1978. Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 engines driving five-bladed propellers

Operators

A Nord 262 spotted in service in Guatemala, November 2004.

In August 2006 a total of 7 Nord 262 aircraft remain in airline service with Equatorial International Airlines (1), International Trans Air Business (1), Trans Service Airlift (1), Aerolineas Sosa (3) and RACSA (1).In early 2007, the charter airline Business Aviation in the Congo (formerly Zaire) was still operating at least one Nord 262.