AT-401B- pocket rocket

Air Tractor | November 13, 2010

Air Tractor Inc is one of the leading aircraft manufacturer in the United States and based in Olney, Texas. To satisfy his quest for building an aircraft for agricultural usage purpose, the owner of Snow Aeronautical , Mr. Leland Snow founded the Air Tractor Inc The AT-300 Air Tractor was the first vehicle out of this company’s stable and was quite popular among ranchers and small time farmers. Leland Snow built his first airplane, the S-1, in 1951. This air plane did duties till 1957as a spraying and dusting pesticides unit. Today, the Air Tractor Inc is so advanced that they sell 400, 500, 600 and 800-gallon capacity planes and ones which are propelled by turbine engines or the Pratt & Whitney piston ones. One such airplane is the AT-401B.

The AT-401 series first started out in 1979 and the AT-401B is an improved version of the same with increased span and modified wing tips. The AT-401B is propelled by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine, which is radial in its configuration. The air plane is a 400 gallon one. It has all the typical Air Tractor Inc qualities like near perfect aerodynamics, rugged terrain durability, ease of flying and also the latest safety features. It also delivers an excellent value for money proposition with its price to features ratio and the engine is also quite environmentally friendly. The Air Tractor engine combines high performance with efficiency. It is a 2 seater air plane with all the creature comforts expected from it in the real world.


It is quite costly as a new unit however a used one is a perfect option. The Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine is known for its reliability and high service intervals. Problem is that not many people want to sell the AT-401B due to its perfect service to them. An AT-401B also fetches a high resale value due to the same reason.

Technical Specifications of AT-401B

Engine Type : Pratt&Whitney R-1340

Engine S.H.P. : 600 @ 2251 RPM

Propeller : 12D41 hub 6102A-13 blades

Take-Off Weight : 7,861 lbs. (3 575 kg)

Landing Weight : 6,002 lbs. (2 725 kg)

Empty Wt. w/ Spray Equipment : 4,246 lbs. (1 923 kg)

Useful Load : 3,618 lbs. (1 644 kg)

Hopper Capacity : 400 U.S. gal. (1 514 L)

Fuel Capacity : 128 U.S. gal. (479 L)

Wing Span : 53 ft. (15,58 m)

Wing Area : 307 sq. ft. (28,41 m2)

Main Wheel Size : 8.58 x 11

Tail Wheel Size : 5.010 x 8

Performance with Spray Equipment for the AT-401B

Cruise Speed : 144 mph (231 kph) at 4,100 ft (1 219 kph)

Working Speed (typical) : 120-143 mph (193-2256 kph)

Stall Speed, Flaps up : 73 mph (117 kph) at 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)

Stall Speed, Flaps Down : 61 mph (98 kph) at 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)

Stall Speed as Usually Landed : 54 mph (87 kph)

Rate of Climb : 520 fpm (158 mpm) at 7,860 lbs (3 565 kg)

Take-Off Distance : 1,320 ft (404 m) at 7,861 lbs (3 563 kg)

Range, Economy Cruise at 8,000 ft. (2 438m) : 631 mi (1 016 km)

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